By Danjuma Amodu | April 25, 2026
Barely two months into his tenure, the Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, has launched a decisive intervention to resolve the protracted crisis within the institution’s Alumni Association, setting in motion a process expected to produce a unified leadership within one month.
For several years, the Alumni Association has been weakened by factionalisation and legal tussles that undermined its cohesion and limited its contribution to the University’s development. The divisions, which escalated into multiple litigations, created parallel structures and stalled joint projects, fundraising, and institutional support efforts. University stakeholders have long viewed the impasse as a major setback to alumni engagement.
To address the crisis, the Vice-Chancellor, on 23 March 2026, constituted a high-powered Committee on the Resolution of Disputes. The committee is chaired by the Kogi State Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Muizudeen Yunus Abdullahi, SAN, with Dr Henry Anibe Agbonika, Hon. Sunday Faleke, Hon. Otokiti Alhassan Zakariya, Prince Hilarioncollins Attai Musa, Hon. Comfort Olufunke Obaromi, Mr Richard Oguche, and Mr Yusuf Haruna as members.
The Committee was mandated to unravel both immediate and underlying causes of the disputes, engage all factions and stakeholders in constructive dialogue, facilitate amicable resolutions, and explore pathways for the withdrawal of ongoing litigations. It was also tasked with recommending practical measures for harmonising all groups into a single, cohesive Alumni Association to prevent future conflicts.
Following extensive consultations and stakeholder engagements, the Committee submitted its report to the University Management on Friday, 24 April 2026, at the Council Chambers. Presenting the report on behalf of the Chairman, Dr Henry Anibe Agbonika commended the Vice-Chancellor for what he described as foresight and decisive leadership in addressing a “deeply rooted and protracted crisis”.
He assured Management of the alumni’s commitment to peace and progress, stressing that no action would be taken to jeopardise the institution’s development. Dr Agbonika reaffirmed that the 2009 Constitution, duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), remains the only legally recognised framework guiding the Alumni Association and will serve as the foundation for all subsequent processes.
In his response, which was disclosed by Uredo Omale, Public Relations Officer, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Vice-Chancellor Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman described the moment as “historic and pivotal”, marking a turning point in resolving a crisis that had lingered for far too long. He lamented the prolonged divisions within the Alumni body, describing them as avoidable setbacks that had hindered collective progress. While reaffirming Management’s commitment to a strong and vibrant Alumni Association, Prof. Usman emphasised that the University would not interfere in the internal leadership affairs of the body.
In a significant development, the Vice-Chancellor directed that the Committee be transformed into an Implementation Committee to oversee the execution of its recommendations. He charged the Committee members to organise a general congress of alumni, conduct credible elections, and produce a unified leadership in line with the provisions of the 2009 Constitution.
He further urged that the entire reconciliation and transition process be concluded within one month, stressing the urgency of restoring stability, credibility, and functionality to the Alumni Association.
On its part, the Committee assured Management of its readiness to deliver on the assignment within the stipulated timeframe, pledging to ensure a transparent, inclusive, and credible process.
