Reps summon UDUS VC Bashir Garba over ‘poor’ budget performance

The house of representatives committee on university education has summoned Bashir Garba, the vice-chancellor of Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto (UDUS), over allegations of poor 2023 budget performance.

The committee stated that the VC’s team also refused to submit crucial financial documents.

The summons, issued on Friday by the committee’s chairman Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa), demanded that the VC and his management team appear before the committee on December 8.

Fulata issued a stern warning, stating that the committee would not hesitate to issue a warrant of arrest if Garba fails to comply.

“The committee is not on a witch-hunt mission, but we will not hesitate to issue a warrant of arrest, in line with the provision of the constitution and house rules, directing the inspector-general of police to bring him if he fails to appear with relevant documents on Monday, Dec. 8,” Fulata said.

The committee chairman explained that during an oversight visit to UDUS, lawmakers observed what he described as a “deliberate attempt to conceal documents” regarding the institution’s operations and to “frustrate lawmakers’ on-the-spot assessment.”

He said Garba has consistently refused to submit relevant documents on the implementation of the 2023, 2024, and 2025 budgets, despite repeated official letters.

Fulata noted that when the committee visited the university, the vice-chancellor was nowhere to be found.

He said the few available officers were unprepared to answer questions and had no documents relating to the school’s running over the last three years.

“A proper scrutiny on the implementation of previous budgets will allow the national assembly, saddled with the power of appropriation, to know how to respond to critical challenges of the institution,” he added.

The chairman cautioned university managements across the north-west zone against discrimination and unfair treatment in the appointment, employment, and promotion of workers, as well as in the admission of students.