There’s uncertainty in Taraba State University following reports alleging that Governor Agbu Kefas has suspended the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sunday Paul Bako, and dissolved its Governing Council.
The reports, which gained traction over the weekend through social media and a local publication, further claimed that a Sole Administrator was set to be appointed to oversee the affairs of the university.
However, both the Vice-Chancellor and the Taraba State Commissioner for Tertiary Education have denied any knowledge of such action, insisting that no official communication has been received.
Reacting to the circulating publication, Professor Bako expressed surprise, stating that he first learned of the alleged suspension online.
“I am not aware of any suspension. I have not received any letter to that effect. I saw the report on social media and called the Commissioner, but he is not aware either. I don’t know where the author of the publication got his information from,” he said.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, attempts to verify the claim through appropriate government channels yielded no confirmation, casting further doubt on the authenticity of the report.
As of press time, no official statement has been issued by the Taraba state government or the relevant ministry confirming the purported suspension or dissolution of the Governing Council.
Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Taraba State University chapter, has also distanced itself from the controversy.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Joshua Garba Mbave, the union described the report as “false, misleading and malicious,” particularly claims that ASUU representatives were present at a meeting where the suspension was allegedly decided.
“ASUU wishes to unequivocally state that at no time was the union invited to, nor did it participate in, any meeting with the Taraba State Government where such decisions were taken or discussed. Any report suggesting otherwise is false, misleading, malicious and capable of bringing the union into disrepute,” the statement read.
The union demanded an immediate retraction and public apology from the media organization that published the report.
Dr. Mbave emphasized that the governance and administration of Taraba State University are guided by Law No. 4 of 2008, which established the institution. He noted that the law clearly outlines procedures for the appointment and removal of principal officers.
According to him, the law does not grant unilateral powers to any authority to suspend a principal officer, dissolve the Governing Council, or appoint a Sole Administrator outside statutory provisions.
“Any action taken outside these statutory provisions is ultra vires, null and void, and of no effect,” he stated.
ASUU-TSU clarified that its ongoing industrial dispute with the Taraba State government is unrelated to the alleged suspension. The union listed its outstanding grievances to include;
absence of a functional pension scheme for university staff, non-payment of outstanding 2022 salaries, accumulated earned academic allowances, and implementation of the newly negotiated 2025 ASUU–FGN agreement, effective January 1, 2026.
Dr. Mbave called on Governor Kefas to urgently address these concerns to restore industrial harmony and resume academic activities.
He also raised concerns that within two years, the government had constituted two separate staff screening and verification committees, along with a Visitation Panel, yet their reports have neither been made public nor implemented.
“This failure has left the university community in a state of uncertainty and raises serious questions as to why government has refused or neglected to act on the outcomes of its own investigative mechanisms,” Mbave said.
As speculation continues, the Taraba State government has yet to release an official statement to clarify the situation.
For now, Bako remains in office, maintaining that no formal directive has been issued regarding his suspension.
Uncertainty at Taraba varsity as govt keeps mum over alleged suspension of VC
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