By: Ahmed Rufa’i
The Federal University Dutse (FUD) has confirmed that the inauguration of its newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ahmad Muhammed Gumel, will take place as scheduled on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
This was disclosed by Barrister Shamsu Ubale Jibrin, counsel to the defendants—the Federal University Dutse Governing Council and 22 others in an interview with News Men in Dutse.
The clarification followed an ongoing legal challenge instituted by Professor Abdulsalam Balarebe, one of the applicants for the Vice-Chancellor position, who is contesting the selection process.
Professor Balarebe, through his counsel, had approached the court seeking an order to restrain the Governing Council and other defendants from conducting the swearing-in and handover ceremony of the new Vice-Chancellor, pending the determination of the suit.
However, Barrister Jibrin stated that he presented overwhelming and unimpeachable documentary evidence before the court to establish that the selection process was conducted transparently and in strict compliance with the advertised requirements for the position.
According to him, the claimant’s counsel failed to provide credible evidence to prove that due process was breached in the appointment of Professor Gumel.
He explained that Professor Gumel emerged the highest scorer during the interview process, having satisfied all eligibility conditions, including the mandatory minimum of 15 years of university teaching and administrative experience.
“Based on this outcome, the Governing Council, in the exercise of its statutory powers, appointed him as the fourth substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university”.
Barrister Jibrin further revealed that the court declined to grant the application seeking to stop the inauguration, but instead adjourned the matter to February 23, 2026, after the scheduled ceremony.
He described the court’s decision as a technical victory for the Governing Council and Professor Gumel.
The defence counsel also disclosed that two crucial motions would be presented to the court when hearing resumes on February 23, noting that the motions are central to the resolution of the case.
Professor Gumel’s inauguration is therefore expected to proceed as planned, pending the final determination of the suit.
