08/05/2025
NEW RECTOR'S SELECTION PROCESS: ALLEGATIONS ON IMAP GOVERNING COUNCIL SELF-SEEKING, UNFOUNDED
By Mukhtar Wakeel
The attention of the Governing Council of the Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, Lafia, Nasarawa State, led by Prof. Muhammad Sanusi Liman, has been drawn to an unfounded, chauvinistic and divisive allegation making the rounds on the social media cooked by a set of self-seeking elements, who claims that the conduct for the selection of a Substantive Rector of the institution was totally not in compliance with the laws establishing the institution and the template of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
The self-demeaning allegations are entirely contradictory and a total distraction aimed at sparking onslaught of tension and instability in the institution, which has been witnessing monumental reforms since the appointment of the Liman-led Governing Council and to thwart the selfless efforts that have been institutionalised in the appointment of a new Rector.
Ordinarily, we wouldn't have responded to the baseless claims. However, to set all records straight, Prof. Muhammad Sanusi Liman, a reputable and highly distinguished professor of plasma physics and former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) remains committed to be guided by stricter due process churned in diligence, meticulous compliance to laws, regulations and excellence.
The Governing Council has set a benchmark that is out to raise the Polytechnic's bar to meet up with best standard of practice in fulfilment of the pledge made before His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi A. Sule.
It is clear that sections 21(4) a, b, c & I, II, iii; (5) (a-d) of the Law Establishing Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, Lafia (2020) equip Governing Council with the powers and procedures for appointing a Rector where vacancy exists and in compliance with that, the Council placed adverts for the positions of a Substantive Rector and Registrar in line with the law; constituted a Search Team whose responsibility was solely to search for suitable candidates within the state, where there are no applicants.
In this exercise, a lot of applicants applied from within and outside the Polytechnic. The Governing Council constituted a Joint Council whose responsibility was to shortlist and screen candidates accordingly.
To that end, interviews were conducted for the shortlisted candidates.
It would interest those who care to know that the so-called group of Eight Chief Lecturers said to have written against the Council's approved advertisement, only six of them were Chief Lecturers and two of them were elected and participated in the process and even applied for allowances.
Moreso, 58 lecturers countered the complaints of the eight lecturers.
It is important to note that NBTE template is a guide not a law, even at that, it can only work in the institutions that have domesticated it, which Nasarawa State has not domesticated it.
Recent interviews in some federal and state polytechnics did not use the NBTE's template but applied only the law establishing the institutions.
On this note, the Governing Council, with its breed of high-profile members' wealth of experience and expertise across various aspects of human existence, had unwaveringly followed the appropriate guidelines set by the NBTE and the laws of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.
We must repeat unequivocally that a template is not a law but a guide in the selection of an institution's head. The advertisement placed carried all necessary substance in adherence to best practice and to set a pace that will break barriers and rejig the Polytechnic's system of practice for excellence and productivity to compete favourably across the nation and possibly the world.
We wish to refer the merchants of destruction to relate closely with the laws provided and study them carefully without ill motives or tendency to stir unnecessary public sentiments.
The Governing Council is unapologetically focused on instituting a practice that is a precedent observed and obeyed in highly developed climes.
At this point, we are bold to say that the claim is a wholly patent misrepresentation interested in making headlines rather than working in the interest of the Polytechnic to address its deep-seated challenges which are currently being addressed.
The Prof. Liman-led Governing Council remains committed to transparency and accountability in the pursuit of inclusive development. We will not be cajoled by this destructive theatrics that is deliberately worked out to destabilize sanity and stability being enjoyed in the institution.
Mukhtar Wakeel is the Director Information, Public Relations and Protocol, IMAP
