The Vice Chancellor of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, Prof Mu’azu Abubakar Gusau, has dismissed a media report alleging that lawmakers demanded N480 million to approve the 2025 education budget proposal.
In a disclaimer letter written to the Lead Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Education and Chairman of the House Committee on University Education, Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata, titled “Disclaimer: Re: Investigation: Nigerian Lawmakers Demand N480 Million from Universities to Approve 2025 Budget,” Prof. Gusau described the allegation as baseless, malicious, and mischievous. He urged both the lawmakers and the general public to discountenance it.
A copy of the letter, sent to DAILY POST in Abuja on Tuesday, insisted that the allegation was false, adding that there was no intimidation or threat to force the heads of universities to pay a certain amount of money to approve their allocations in the 2025 budget.
Prof. Gusau said: “The report, subtitled ‘Targeting a Stubborn VC,’ by Premium Times, specifically alleged that ‘The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Gusau, Mu’azu Gusau, appears to have become a target for lawmakers. During the January 16 meeting, the lawmakers threatened to “deal with” Mr. Gusau for being stubborn.’
“The paper also alleged that ‘It is unclear what Mr. Gusau has done to incur the lawmakers’ wrath, but it seems he has refused to comply with their demands.’
“At first, the intention of the University was to ignore the write-up in its entirety, but upon closer reflection, we have deemed it necessary to respond to the issues raised to foreclose any possibility of such jaundiced, misleading, and vexatious insinuations being taken as truth by discerning members of the National Assembly, including your amiable self and other Honourable Members of the House Committees on Education.
“For the record, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mu’azu Abubakar Gusau, was represented at the University’s 2025 budget defense by a team led by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Dr. Lawal Sa’adu. During the exercise, the team enjoyed a robust, friendly, and convivial session with the lawmakers. We make bold to say that neither the DVC nor any member of the University team at the budget defense is a party to the information concocted by Premium Times and put out in the media space.
“We, therefore, urge you, Mr. Chairman, and members of your Honourable Committee, to discountenance the malicious and mischievous write-up from the stable of Premium Times, which has a proclivity toward sensational headlines and destructive journalism.
“Mr. Chairman, the Governing Council, the Vice Chancellor, and indeed, the Management and Senate of Federal University Gusau openly acknowledge the praiseworthy support of your Committee and pledge to work assiduously to further cement such relationships in the interest of the overall development of the University and the furtherance of tertiary education in Nigeria.”
Hon. Fulata and the House of Representatives had also recently dismissed Premium Times’ allegation, describing it as baseless and unfounded, urging the medium to ensure professionalism in its reportage.
