Former ABU VC Saror Recalls Intimidation Tactics

Abdullahi Saror served as the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) from 1991 to 1995. He described a significant crisis towards the end of his tenure, which intensified due to opposition from some members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Saror first learned of a petition against him while returning from a chieftaincy ceremony in Gboko on December 31, 1994. He sought to respond to the allegations via the Nigerian Television Authority in Kaduna.

The situation escalated with demonstrations and the locking of the university’s Senate Building. Saror noted that the unrest was partly due to disagreements over university management following the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP).

He resisted ASUU's demands for greater involvement in management, leading to increased hostility. Saror revealed that a snake was brought into his office by a local snake charmer named Haruna to intimidate him into resigning, which he refused, asserting that only the military government could remove him.

The crisis led to a commission of inquiry set up by then Head of State General Sani Abacha, which recommended his removal shortly before the end of his tenure.