The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has urged the new vice-chancellor of the University of Abuja, Hakeem Fawehinmi, to probe the alleged accommodation racketeering in the university.

The chairman of the committee, Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa), who gave the advice at an oversight visit in Abuja, said the committee had received several petitions on the allegations.

Mr Fulata called on the management to probe shady practices in the university.

“We have received several petitions regarding accommodation racketeering. Some middlemen will get it and lease it to others at an exorbitant price, sometimes exceeding 500 per cent.

“This is very wrong, and it poses serious challenges to so many people, particularly females who may be exposed to many problems,” he said.

The lawmaker urged the VC and the university management to ensure harmony among management, various staff unions, and students.

Mr Fulata warned the VC about past leadership issues that led to four vice chancellors in three years, urging caution.

In the same vein, the committee also urged the vice-chancellor and management team of the newly established Federal University of Technology, Abuja, to adhere to federal character principles in employment and admission.

Mr Fulata also noted that the committee had an interface with the vice chancellor and management team of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, and the Federal University of Education, Kontongora, Niger, over the management of the school in recent times.

Meanwhile, the vice-chancellor of Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, Bashir Garba, has apologised for being absent during the oversight visit by the committee over the past three years.

Mr Garba, who tendered the apology when he appeared before the committee, said he ran a transparent system and had nothing to hide from the general public or the committee.

(NAN)