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Terminated American University of Nigeria (AUN) Professors Announce Class Action
Lawsuit Against University
Anuli Akanegbu
August 2011
The
emigration of highly skilled or qualified people from a country commonly
referred to as “brain drain” presents an economic cost to developing countries.
Due to factors such as lack of opportunities and poor living conditions many
intelligent individuals leave their home countries to pursue new lives
elsewhere. The
International Organization for Migration (IOM) calculated that Africa, in
particular, has been losing approximately 20,000 professionals each year since
1990.
According to the United Nations, “emigration of African
professionals to the West is one of the greatest obstacles to Africa’s
development.”
While the financial, institutional and societal costs of brain
drain in Africa are paramount, what happens to individuals who choose to return
to their home countries after spending time abroad?
In the case of a group of Nigerian-born professors who
returned to Nigeria to teach at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola,
Adamawa State, after studying, working and teaching in America, they get fired.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former vice president of Nigeria,
founded the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in 2005. That fall the
University enrolled its first class of 200 students through a partnership with
American University located in Washington, DC.
According to University president, Dr. Margaret Ensign, the
mission of AUN is to “reduce the distance and cost of acquiring world-class
American-style education abroad.” The University’s Board of Trustees includes
world leaders such as Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Ambassador David Macrae
and former Ugandan Vice President Gilbert Bukenya.
On June 9, 2011, a group of professors
whose combined qualifications include doctorate degrees from University of
Pennsylvania, Harvard University, University of London and Howard University
were terminated from their positions as AUN faculty members with claims that
their skills sets did not fit the direction that the University is headed.
Exactly, what direction is the University headed in
if their plans for the future involve terminating faculty with doctorate degrees
from Ivy League institutions?
Was there a hidden agenda behind the terminations?
The professors moved back to Nigeria and accepted positions
from the University because they were motivated to give back to Nigeria and
contribute to the country’s human capital.
Prior to joining the AUN faculty, the
professors had several years of teaching experiences at various universities in
America as well as experiences in research. During their time at AUN they became
well known members of the faculty serving as department heads and deans among
other top positions. They also took part in University-wide committees and were
actively involved in student recruitment programs.
Despite their experiences and contributions to AUN,
University president, Dr. Margaret Ensign, terminated their contracts “with
immediate effect”.
Earlier this year the University posted
job openings online looking for new faculty whose credentials include possessing
American Ph.Ds,
experience in post-secondary teaching and experience in Africa or other parts of
the developing world. These qualifications are not unlike the qualifications of
the professors that the University recently terminated.
The Nigerian Minister of Education has instructed the National
Universities Commission (NUC) to investigate the allegation. In addition, the
Nigerian Ministry of Internal Affairs has instructed Nigerian Immigration
Services to find out whether any immigration laws have been broken as a result
of the terminations.
The professors have instituted a class
action lawsuit against the University for breach of contract as a result of
their wrongful terminations.
The
school has since replaced the Nigerian-born professors with white American
professors who are no more qualified for the positions as the terminated
professors. The
University’s decision to replace the qualified Nigerian-born professors with
white professors brings to question the message that they are sending to their
students. Does the University believe that white professors are inherently
better than black professors?
If the president of Nigeria is truly serious about reducing
brain drain and increasing the country’s human capital then it should not ignore
the fact that Nigerian-born professors are being terminated from the American
University of Nigerian (AUN), Yola, Adamawa State, in favor of white professors
who do not represent the University’s student body and whose experiences in
Africa or other parts of the developing world are in doubt.
If you are concerned about this issue
then please voice your concerns to the Nigerian government and share this
article with people you know.
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