ASUU demands Yuguda’s removal as NOUN Council Chair over ATBU conversion comments, ,
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi branch, has demanded the removal of former Bauchi State Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, as Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) over alleged derogatory remarks against university professors amid debates on the proposed conversion of ATBU into a conventional university.
DAILY POST reports that the dispute arose following Yuguda’s appearance at a Senate public hearing in December on a bill seeking to change ATBU’s mandate from a technology-driven university to a conventional institution.
Yuguda supported the bill and was captured in a viral video allegedly dismissing those opposed to the conversion plan, reportedly saying: “any person who is against turning the University into a conventional University is a criminal.”
Although Yuguda disowned the footage—claiming the video was “AI-generated”—ASUU insists he also expressed disdain for professors who raised academic and legal objections to the conversion, allegedly stating, “who the hell are professors for goodness sake!”
Addressing journalists on Tuesday, ASUU chairperson, Dr. Angulu Haruna, said Yuguda’s outburst criminalised legitimate participation in a National Assembly process, noting that opposition to the bill centred on concerns over “university autonomy,” not personal politics.
“Malam Isa Yuguda displayed total disregard for professors and the academic community while supporting the conversion bill,” Haruna said.
“This raises questions on his competence, integrity and suitability to serve as Pro-Chancellor of a federal university.”
ASUU further argued that Yuguda’s interventions regarding ATBU, particularly on medical programmes, had been misrepresented, clarifying that the university’s College of Medical Sciences began operations before Yuguda’s tenure as governor.
The union called on the Minister of Education, the NUC, the Bauchi State Government, and the Presidency to take note of the “affront on university autonomy” and the “threats to professors” linked to the conversion controversy.
Consequently, ASUU demanded that Yuguda publicly retract his remarks and resign as NOUN’s council chairman, insisting that “you cannot preside over a system you hold in contempt.”
Reacting, Yuguda said he was misquoted in the viral clip, insisting the vulgar expressions attributed to him were not part of his vocabulary.
“While the image in the video is mine, the text is certainly not. It must have been AI-generated,” he said.
Yuguda reaffirmed his support for the conversion of ATBU into a conventional university, arguing he had “good reasons” for his position, but denied attacking academics who opposed the bill.
He said he holds professors “in the highest esteem,” noting his decades of engagement with the academic community.
ASUU demands Yuguda’s removal as NOUN Council Chair over ATBU conversion comments
, Education – Daily Post Nigeria, January 13, 2026, 5:04 pm
