FUD Stands Firm on Prof. Gumel’s February 10 Inauguration
By the Newsroom
KANO – The Federal University Dutse (FUD) has maintained its decision to proceed with the inauguration of Professor Ahmad Muhammed Gumel as its new Vice-Chancellor on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, despite an ongoing legal challenge over the selection process.
Speaking with FUD Newsletter, Barrister Shamsu Ubale Jibrin, counsel to the defendants—the Federal University Governing Council and 22 others—confirmed that there is no legal barrier preventing the swearing-in and handover ceremony from taking place as scheduled. The suit was instituted by Professor Abdulsalam Balarebe, one of the applicants for the Vice-Chancellorship, who through his counsel sought a court order restraining the Governing Council and other defendants from conducting the inauguration.
Barrister Jibrin stated that he placed overwhelming and unimpeachable evidence before the court, supported by relevant documents, to establish that the selection process was properly conducted and fully complied with all requirements for the position of Vice-Chancellor as advertised in national dailies. He added that counsel to Professor Abdulsalam Balarebe failed to present evidence to show that due process was breached.
According to him, the evidence before the court showed that Professor Gumel met all eligibility conditions for appointment, emerged with the highest score, and ranked first at the conclusion of the interview process. He said the Governing Council, acting within its statutory powers, subsequently appointed Professor Gumel as the fourth substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university.
Barrister Jibrin further disclosed that the court declined to grant the application seeking to stop the inauguration and instead adjourned the matter to February 23, 2026, after the inauguration. He described the court’s decision as a technical victory for the Governing Council and Professor Gumel.
He also noted that during the court sitting on Thursday, he presented clear evidence to prove that Professor Gumel satisfied the requirement of having a minimum of 15 years’ working experience in the university system.
Barrister Jibrin added that when the hearing resumes on February 23, 2026, he intends to file two critical motions which, according to him, are central to the resolution of the case.