The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called for the removal of former Bauchi State governor, Isa Yuguda, as Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). The demand follows comments credited to Yuguda in which he allegedly suggested converting Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, into a distance-learning institution under NOUN.

ASUU described the remarks as provocative and harmful to the future of conventional universities in Nigeria. According to the union, ATBU plays a crucial role in providing physical, laboratory-based, and technical education that cannot be effectively delivered through distance learning platforms. The union warned that such proposals could weaken academic standards and disrupt the structure of higher education in the country.

The lecturers’ body insisted that Yuguda’s position as NOUN Council Chair makes his comments particularly troubling, as they could influence government policy. ASUU therefore urged the Federal Government to immediately remove him from the position to prevent what it called “dangerous experimentation” with Nigeria’s university system.

Meanwhile, there has been no official response from Yuguda or the Federal Ministry of Education on the matter. However, the controversy has reignited debate on the balance between conventional and open-distance learning in Nigeria, with stakeholders divided over how best to expand access to higher education without undermining quality.