By Titilope Adako
Nigeria – Abuja: Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja, is facing fresh controversy following revelations that Professor Jibrin Edicha Abdullahi retained his position as Head of the Department (HOD) of Geography and Environmental Science while on sabbatical at the National Defence College.
Records show that Abdullahi, who was promoted under disputed circumstances, was reappointed as HOD on 31st July 2023 for a two-year term.
Just two months later, he applied for a one-year sabbatical leave, which the university granted on 7th October 2024.
Instead of stepping down, he allegedly remained in control of departmental affairs, despite his leave.
University insiders claim he continued to oversee administrative duties, including chairing disciplinary meetings and issuing directives, while officially absent.
“This is unprecedented. How can someone be on sabbatical at another institution and still function as HOD? This is the kind of administrative manipulation we have been battling,” a staff member who spoke anonymously said.
The revelation has sparked outrage among students and lecturers, with many questioning how he managed to hold onto the position while supposedly engaged in research elsewhere.
Critics have linked the issue to the influence of former Vice-Chancellor Prof Abdulrasheed Na’Allah and former Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Aisha Maikudi, describing the situation as “Aisha’s Magic.”
A senior academic raised concerns, asking, “Is it possible for a Vice-Chancellor to approve a sabbatical leave for an HOD without first replacing him? How can one person be holding two different positions in two institutions at the same time?”
When contacted, Prof Abdullahi denied the allegations, insisting he stepped down in January.
“It is not true. I left the department in January. I am no longer the HOD, and I have not been to the university in the past three weeks,” he said.
Despite his claim, multiple sources maintain he continued to function in an official capacity even after his sabbatical began.
University spokesperson Dr Habib Yakoob declined to comment, saying, “Well, thank you for reaching out. I don’t have any comment on this matter at the moment.”
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