By Ghazali Ibrahim
A fresh controversy has emerged over the recently advertised position of Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), with former Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Olatunji Abanikannda, alleging that some of the requirements were deliberately designed to favour a preferred candidate and exclude others from the race.
In a lengthy statement posted on his Facebook page, the profesor criticized several provisions contained in the advertisement, particularly the use of the word “several” in describing eligibility requirements and the insistence that applicants must have delivered their inaugural lectures.
The professor argued that terms such as “few,” “several,” and “many” are inherently imprecise and should not replace exact figures in official recruitment advertisements, especially for a position as significant as that of a university vice-chancellor.
According to him, previous advertisements for similar positions in federal, state and private universities, including LASU’s past vice-chancellor recruitment exercises, specified clear numerical benchmarks rather than relying on vague quantifiers.
He described the requirement that applicants “must have presented his or her inaugural lecture” as one of the most contentious aspects of the advert, questioning whether inaugural lectures are a compulsory academic milestone.
The academic further claimed that the organization of inaugural lectures at LASU has, over time, become vulnerable to administrative and political considerations, potentially disadvantaging otherwise qualified candidates who have not been given the opportunity to present one.
While acknowledging that several other criteria contained in the advertisement align with established standards for university administration and leadership, he argued that some requirements focus more on future deliverables than on measurable past achievements of prospective candidates.
The statement also raised concerns about the advertisement’s requirement that candidates must be in “excellent physical and mental health” and possess verifiable certificates to that effect.
The professor questioned how such assessments would be conducted, who would conduct them, and how the results would be verified.
Beyond the specific criteria, he alleged that the advertisement could be laying the groundwork for a contentious succession process that may eventually lead to the appointment of an acting vice-chancellor.
He further claimed that efforts were being made to position a candidate who became a professor on October 1, 2023, for the university’s top job, despite having less than three years of professorial experience by the expected date of assumption of office.
Drawing comparisons with LASU’s recent advertisements for the positions of Registrar and Bursar, the professor noted that those notices contained clearly defined experience requirements, including a minimum of five years in a deputy capacity, rather than ambiguous terms such as “several.”
He called on members of the university community, governing authorities and stakeholders to review the advertisement and address what he described as “booby traps” capable of triggering unnecessary disputes during the selection process.
The professor urged those responsible for overseeing the institution to ensure transparency and fairness in the appointment process, warning that failure to do so could undermine the legacy of the university and the investments made in it over the years.
