adminPRESIDENT TINUBU DISMISSES UNIZIK VICE-CHANCELLOR AMIDST DUE PROCESS CONCERNS
In a decisive move, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has terminated the appointment of Professor Bernard Odoh as Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State. The President also dissolved the university’s Governing Council and removed the Registrar, citing procedural irregularities in their appointments.
The announcement, made on November 20, 2024, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, highlighted concerns over the legality of Professor Odoh’s selection. The statement emphasized that the Governing Council had appointed an “unqualified” individual without adhering to established protocols, leading to tensions between the university’s Senate and the Council.
Professor Odoh, in response, contested the President’s decision, asserting that his appointment followed due process and that he possesses the requisite qualifications for the role. He stated, “I applied for the position and was appointed. I’m not imposing myself on the institution. The issue of not being a professor is all lies.” He further argued that his removal via a press release was inappropriate, noting that he was not appointed through such a medium.
The controversy surrounding Professor Odoh’s appointment has been ongoing. Earlier, the Federal Ministry of Education nullified his selection, citing procedural lapses and the absence of key stakeholders during the appointment process. The university’s management, however, rejected this annulment, maintaining that due process was followed.
This development has left UNIZIK without a Vice-Chancellor, Governing Council, and Registrar, raising concerns about the institution’s administrative stability. Professor Odoh expressed apprehension over the potential crisis this situation could precipitate, stating, “By leaving the university without a vice- chancellor, governing council, and registrar, Tinubu has fomented crisis in UNIZIK.”
As the university community awaits further directives, the broader implications of this decision on Nigeria’s higher education governance remain to be seen.
