UB VC accused of rebelling against gov't!.

The accusations surfaced on social media yesterday after a leaked petition, addressed to the Prime Minister, Head of Government, went viral.

The petition, signed by the Founder and President of the Board of Trustees of the ICT University, US-based revered Professor of ICT, Victor Mbarika, is dated October 16, 2025.

In the petition, a copy of which The Guardian Post obtained, Prof Mbarika didn’t have kind words for the UB Vice Chancellor.

Prof Mbarika recounted to the Prime Minister that on March 23, 2023, an Academic Mentorship Agreement was signed between the ICT University and the University of Buea.

He continued that same agreement was later validated on May 9, 2023, by the Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education and Chancellor of Academic Orders, Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo.

Prof Mbarika then immediately regretted that despite government’s approval of the agreement, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea has vehemently refused implementing the said deal.

The agreement between both universities, it should be mentioned, was designed to regularise ICT University’s academic programmes; particularly doctoral and postgraduate studies, under State supervision and ensuring compliance with national higher education standards.

The crux of the matter…

In his petition to the Prime Minister, a copy of which was forwarded to the Presidency, Prof Mbarika, didn’t mince words.

Describing the actions of UB Vice Chancellor, as deliberate obstruction of official processes, Prof Mbarika disclosed that the University of Buea has willfully delayed and, in some cases, refused to process ICT University doctoral and postgraduate

documentation, even after formal directives from the Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education and Chancellor of Academic Orders.

Noting that such actions were nothing less than institutional sabotage, Prof Mbarika regretted that instead of collaboration, the leadership of the University of Buea has resorted to actions aimed at undermining ICT University’s credibility, spreading

misinformation, and frustrating legitimate academic procedures; moves he qualified as clear violation of ministerial oversight.

Insubordination at its peak

In his lengthy petition, Prof Mbarika revealed to the Prime Minister that the instructions of the Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, requesting urgent handling of ICT University’s doctoral regularisation files, have been ignored, creating undue hardship for their doctoral candidates.

He said the act borders on administrative insubordination and reflects disregard for established governance channels.

Prof Mbarika then disclosed that: “It has come to our attention that the said administrators are taking steps to influence internal structures within the University of Buea (including the Council of Deans and Directors) to produce biased reports against the ICT University. This, as a pretext to justify inaction on the mentorship implementation. Such actions are contrary to the ethics of public service and academic cooperation”.

“The ICT University chooses to operate in a fully transparent and lawful manner. We will not be subjected to any undue financial pressure or influence to make payments to the Vice-Chancellor or the Registrar for performing duties they are legally appointed to carry out. If anyone attempts to challenge this position or coerce us otherwise, we will seek redress in court,” he warned.

Love for nation, supporting Biya’s vision

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Prof Mbarika was categorical his investments home are purely part of his own way of contributing to the growth of the nation.

He told the Prime Minister that: “I am here to serve my country with honesty and dedication. However, if my service is not valued or welcomed, I will respectfully step aside and focus my energy elsewhere. I say this with sincerity; and, yes, with justified anger at the corruption that continues to hold our nation back”.

He regretted that the behavior of a few individuals at the University of Buea, sharply contradicts the vision of President Paul Biya, whom he said, has consistently encouraged Cameroonians in the Diaspora to invest at home and contribute to the nation’s educational and socio-economic development.

Prof Mbarika was blunt that such conduct by public officials constitutes a serious impediment to the President’s national vision. 

“It sends a discouraging signal to Cameroonians abroad who, like myself, have chosen to invest in our homeland with sincerity and patriotism,” he said, noting that: “As a proud Cameroonian from the Diaspora, I have invested personal resources, international partnerships, and institutional goodwill to make the ICT University a centre of excellence that serves our nation’s youth. It is therefore deeply regrettable that individuals entrusted with public responsibility would act to frustrate such national efforts”.

In concluding his petition to the Prime Minister, Prof Mbarika said the ICT University is requesting immediate intervention from the PM’s Office for a full and immediate enforcement of the Mentorship Agreement between the University of Buea and The ICT University.

He expressed the wish to see the move culminate in the completion and release of all pending doctoral and postgraduate documentations belonging to ICT University students.

Attempts to get the reaction of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, to either confirm or debunk the allegations through his telephone line 678 32 95…, were futile.