FUD Governing Council to hold inauguration of Prof. Gumel as VC on February 10

By Ibrahim Yunusa

The inauguration of the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Dutse (FUD), Professor Ahmad Muhammed Gumel, will hold on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, as scheduled.

This was disclosed to FUD Newsletter by Barrister Shamsu Ubale Jibrin, counsel to the defendants, the Federal University Governing Council and 22 others in a suit challenging the vice-chancellorship selection process.

The suit was filed by Professor Abdulsalam Balarabe, one of the applicants for the position, who through his counsel sought an order restraining the Governing Council from conducting the swearing-in and handover ceremony.

Barrister Jibrin said he presented overwhelming documentary evidence before the court to show that the selection process was concluded in full compliance with the advertised requirements, adding that the claimant failed to provide proof of any breach of due process.

According to him, evidence before the court showed that Professor Gumel met all the eligibility requirements, scored the highest marks, and emerged first at the end of the interview process, leading the Governing Council to appoint him as the fourth substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university.

He further stated that Professor Gumel satisfied the mandatory 15-year university work experience requirement.
Barrister Jibrin explained that although the court did not grant the application to stop the inauguration, it adjourned the case to February 23, 2026, after the ceremony.

He described this development as a technical victory for the Governing Council and Professor Gumel, adding that he intends to present two key motions when hearing resumes on the adjourned date.