The University of Uyo, Uniuyo is facing the threat of an industrial crisis, as the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) have vehemently rejected what they describe as intimidation, unilateral actions and disregard for due process in the ongoing leadership transition at the university.
At a joint congress held on Friday, 19th December, 2025 at the CBN Hall, Town Campus of the University, the unions accused the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University Governing Council, Dr Muiz Banire (SAN), of bypassing the legally established process for appointing a substantive Vice-Chancellor and repeatedly overriding the collective decisions of the University Senate.
Armed with placards with various inscriptions including “Unions Say No, Why Won’t Council Listen”, “Leadership Failure Is Not An Accident” “University Governance Hijacked by Incompetence” “Leadership Failure is Avoidable” “Conclude the Interview Process and Appoint our VC” “You Can’t Force Leadership on a University”, the unions alleged that Dr. Banire acted outside his statutory role by nominating an Acting Vice-Chancellor without adhering to due process and ignoring the recommendations of the Senate.
Chairperson, Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), Anaesthesia Essien, her counterpart at the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Engr. Usen Udom and that of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Dr Anietie Atai were unanimous in calling for due process in the appointment of the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University.
They said the interview of shortlisted candidates for the office of Vice Chancellor was the only outstanding stage and instead of concluding the process, attention has been shifted to appointing an Acting Vice-Chancellor.
The unions stressed that the appointment process for the substantive Vice-Chancellor had already reached its final stage, with applications advertised, shortlisted candidates evaluated and the Screening Committee’s report submitted to the Council Chairman.
The labour leaders issued a two-week ultimatum to the Chairman of the Governing Council to conclude the process for the emergence of a substantive Vice Chancellor, warning that the University community would not accept any acting appointment imposed without Senate endorsement.
The unions appealed to the Federal Ministry of Education and the Visitor to the University to intervene urgently, restore due process, uphold the authority of the Senate, and bring the protracted leadership crisis to an end.
It could be recalled that the University Senate, in compliance with Section 5(13) of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003, elected Professor Roseline Emeh Uyanga (née Uwah) as Acting Vice-Chancellor on November 8, 2025, recommending her to the Governing Council for ratification.
Professor Uyanga emerged as the preferred candidate after securing 102 votes, defeating Professor Luke Eyoh (39 votes) and Professor Paul Aondona Ihom (4 votes), with 4 votes voided.
