Amanze ChinonyeAfter more than 14 months of uncertainty, Nigeria’s first indigenous university, the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), has a new Vice Chancellor. But instead of celebration, the announcement has triggered a wave of backlash from concerned academics, students, and education stakeholders.
On Tuesday, Engr. Kayode Olubunmi Ojo, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of UNN’s Governing Council, formally announced the appointment of Prof. Simon Ortuanya as the university’s 16th substantive Vice Chancellor. The decision, Ojo said, the university had endured a prolonged leadership crisis that began after the tenure of former Vice-Chancellor Prof. Charles Igwe which ended in June 2024.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn the months that followed, UNN was overseen by three acting Vice-Chancellors in quick succession a revolving door of temporary leadership that left the institution adrift.
First came Prof. Romanus Ezeokonkwo, who held the position from June to August 2024. He was succeeded by Prof. Polycarp Emeka Chigbu, who led from August 2024 until February 2025. The final acting Vice-Chancellor before Ortuanya’s appointment was Prof. Oguejiofo T. Ujam, who served from February to August 2025.
“This is a matter that has lingered for over fourteen months,” Ojo noted. “It led to the appointment of three acting Vice Chancellors and even a reassignment of a former Council Chairman. The President and Commander in Chief, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), is passionate about this appointment and specially assigned the task to me.”
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He described the process as peaceful and transparent, and commended the role played by the University Senate, the Chancellor, the Selection Board, and other stakeholders. Ojo appealed to all former candidates to support the new Vice Chancellor’s administration and called on Ortuanya to adopt an inclusive leadership style.
“Your emergence should not be seen as a winner takes all ideology,” he advised. “Bring all contestants closer, tap into their experience, and share your vision with key stakeholders.”
He called on the university community to rally behind the new administration to revamp the university, which he described as “ailing.”
The appointment marks a new chapter for UNN, Nigeria’s first indigenous university, which has in recent times struggled with leadership instability and academic disruptions.
Academic Protest: “This Appointment Tramples on Merit”
Shortly after the announcement, an open letter addressed to President Tinubu emerged, signed by Comrade James Ezema on behalf of “Concerned Nigerians, Education Stakeholders, and Defender of Academic Integrity.” The strongly worded petition called for the immediate withdrawal of Ortuanya’s appointment and a full investigation into his academic credentials.
The petition raises several red flags:
• Alleged Unorthodox Promotion Critics claim Prof. Ortuanya rose from Lecturer I at UNN to full Professor at ESUT under unclear circumstances, bypassing peer-reviewed evaluations typical of academic promotions.
• Minimal Scholarly Output The petition alleges that Ortuanya has “only about 10 journal publications” and lacks any visible presence on Google Scholar or other reputable indexing platforms.
• Professional Disconnect Ortuanya has spent much of the last two decades in political roles including Commissioner for Education and Secretary to the Enugu State Government leading critics to question his academic grounding.
• Alleged Misconduct in Public Office The letter also references allegations that Ortuanya was barred from Enugu State government premises under Governor Sullivan Chime due to unresolved issues bordering on fraud.
“If the allegations hold, this would constitute what can only be described as academic sleight of rank a leapfrog that belies years of scholarship, research, and service required for elevation in the academy,” the petition reads.
Sector Reactions: FOSAD Joins the Fray
The Forum of Southeast Academic Doctors (FOSAD) also weighed in through a separate statement signed by its President, Dr. Steve A. Nwala.
“In spite of all the clamour for university autonomy, the government and gullible members of the academic community continue to soften the ground for each other,” Nwala wrote. “Not until each university has its own biological means of recruitment, the merit system shall remain history.”
While FOSAD did not directly mention Prof. Ortuanya, the timing and context of the statement suggest disapproval of the recent appointment and broader concerns about political interference in academia.
A Divided Legacy Ahead
The University of Nigeria, once a beacon of academic excellence, has in recent years battled with instability administrative, financial, and infrastructural. Stakeholders had hoped that the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor would reset the tone. Instead, the process has deepened fractures.
For some, the emergence of Prof. Ortuanya a legal academic with extensive experience in public service signals a strategic choice that could blend governance expertise with academic reform. For others, it symbolizes a regression into politicization and a further erosion of merit-based standards.
Whether Ortuanya’s tenure ushers in healing or further turmoil will likely depend on how the administration navigates scrutiny, fosters inclusion, and proves its commitment to academic excellence.
For now, all eyes remain on Nsukka, where history, heritage, and the future of Nigerian academia converge in a university under new leadership but facing old questions.
Amanze Chinonye is a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria. With a unique voice that blends tradition with modernity, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday Nigerian life, from the bustling markets of Lagos to the quiet villages of the countryside. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
