UNN Dismisses Rumours of New Vice-Chancellor Appointment

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has officially denied claims that a new vice-chancellor has been appointed, describing the reports as false and misleading.

In a statement released Friday night, the university’s spokesperson, Agha Inya, clarified that no official appointment has been made and that the process of selecting a substantive vice-chancellor is still ongoing.

The current Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oguejiofor Ujam, had earlier indicated that his tenure would end in August, at which point a new vice-chancellor is expected to assume office. Although the selection process has been underway for some time, no final decision has been reached.

Speculations circulated on Friday that a former senior official from the Enugu State Government had been named as the next UNN vice-chancellor. However, Mr. Inya dismissed the claim.

“We wish to state categorically that no such appointment has been made. The selection process is still ongoing, and no candidate has been announced or confirmed,” he said.

He urged the public to disregard the circulating reports, labeling them as the handiwork of “mischief-makers and purveyors of falsehood.”

Mr. Inya reiterated UNN’s commitment to a credible and merit-driven process. He noted that the selection committee, chaired by Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman, Engr. Kayode Ojo, is continuing its work and will announce the most qualified candidate once the process is completed.

“We call on all stakeholders to remain calm and allow the selection process to be completed without unnecessary interference,” he added.

Some Context

The search for UNN’s 16th substantive vice-chancellor has stirred tension in Enugu State, particularly in Nsukka, where locals have expressed strong interest in seeing an indigene appointed to the role for the first time since the university’s establishment in the 1950s.

Following the conclusion of Professor Charles Igwe’s tenure in June 2024, the university has been led by a succession of acting vice-chancellors. These include Professors Romanus Ezeokonkwo (June August 2024), Polycarp Chigbu (August 2024 February 2025), and the current acting VC, Professor Ujam, who assumed office in February 2025.

The selection process has reportedly been complicated by competing interests among influential individuals and political actors, contributing to the delay in naming a substantive vice-chancellor.