ATBU Mosque Conflict: Former VC Heads Advisory Committee

By Usman Walin Gungura, Bauchi

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi has inaugurated 14 member advisory committee to supervise the implementation of agreements resolved on by various Islamic groups concerning the activities of Muslim students in campus mosques.

The committee, headed by the former Chancellor of the University, Professor Saminu Abdurrahman Ibrahim, was inaugurated on Thursday, following a successful peace resolution meeting organized by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Bauchi.

This development is coming shortly after the unfortunate announcement of resignation of Chief Imam of the institution, Professor Mansur Isa Yelwa and his deputy on June 26, 2026 after Friday Mosque prayer at Yalwa campus.

Their resignation followed the university’s allocation of land to the Tijjaniyya Muslim Students Association of Nigeria (TIMSAN) for a mosque construction, which caused different unpleasant Social media reactions locally and globally.

In response to the raised concerns, a peace meeting was held in Bauchi by the DSS, attended by the University representatives, the Shura Council, the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) ATBU Chapter, and TIMSAN ATBU Chapter where five key resolutions were agreed upon and signed by all parties.

The resolution reads: All Islamic groups at ATBU can conduct religious activities at specified times in the university mosques, Islamic groups can utilize the Central Mosque at Yelwa campus for religious activities, except for the five daily prayers. The land allocated to TIMSAN at Gubi campus has been withdrawn. The leadership of the Shura Council and MSSN will be restructured to be inclusive of all Muslim groups and the university will henceforth appoint the Chief Imam and deputies for the university mosque, and religious activities will comply with university regulations.

The newly formed committee, under the chairmanship of former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba, will provide guidance on implementing these resolutions.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Ibrahim Hassan Garba, while Inaugurating the committee at the University Senate Building in Gubi, informed that only the five daily prayers and Juma’at prayers are permitted in the university mosques, while other religious activities are suspended.

The Vice-Chancellor called for patience and cooperation from all stakeholders to maintain peace and harmony on campus. He also praised the DSS for their active and prompt intervention, assuring the university’s commitment to do the needful in the interest of parties for continuous peace and unity in University environment.

According to the Vice Chancellor, the terms of reference of the committee are to advise management on how to operationalize the recommendations of the DSS, to develop a code of conduct for religious activities in the University and to make appropriate recommendations incidental of the assignment.

“The committee is expected to submit an interim report to the office of the Vice Chancellor within one week, Thursday 9th July, 2026 and the final report not later than 16th July, 2026,” he said.

The committee chairman, Professor Saminu Abdurrahman Ibrahim expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in the abilities of the committee members and promised to carry out the task diligently.