Victor Ezeja
The University of Nigeria Nsukka Governing Council has appointed Professor Polycarp Chigbu, as acting Vice-chancellor.
This was announced at the end of the 288th University’s Governing Council Meeting held on Friday, 16 August at University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC).
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe meeting which started in the morning, ended at 5 pm.
This comes two months after Professor Romanus Ezeokonkwo was elected by the University Senate.
Prime Business Africa had reported that the University Governing Council led by General Ike Nwachukwu, had in a letter dated 1 August 2024, directed the school Senate to convene and nominate five persons, including a female who are not less than 65 years and send to the Council for consideration and subsequent appointment.
At the Senate meeting held on Monday, 12 August, nine persons contested for the nomination but five emerged.
Among the nominees, Professor Chigbu scored 285 votes which is the highest. The rest were Professor Denis Nnabuike Onah, 280; Professor Okpan Kalu Oyeoku, 248; Professor Patrick Uche Okpoko, 242; and Professor Mrs. U.P. Enemo, 240.
The names of the five nominees were sent to the governing council on Wednesday, 14 August ahead of Friday’s meeting.
READ ALSO: UNN Senate Sends 5 Fresh Acting VC Nominees To Governing Council, Ezeokonkwo Loses Out
The Council made the appointment based on the vote score of each nominee in which Professor Polycarp had the highest.
Prime Business Africa gathered that at the meeting, all the nine contestants were present indicating a rancour-free transition.
With the election of a new acting VC, Professor, Romanus Ezeokonkwo who was elected two months ago in acting capacity will now return to his position as Deputy Vice-chancellor Administration.
Ezeokonkwo was elected during 244th Senate meeting on 7 June 2024 following the expiration of tenure of office of the substantive VC, Professor Charles Igwe.
At the time that Professor Igwe’s tenure expired, there was no University Governing Council in place to elect a new VC as required by law.
It is also expected that Professor Ezeokonkwo will have the chance to contest for the substantive VC election which will be held in the next six months. Ezeokonkwo still has about 11 years in service.
Chigbu, who hails from Imo State, is a Professor of Statistics. He joined the services of the University of Nigeria as a Graduate Assistant in the department of Statistics in 1985. He rose through the ranks to become a professor in 2003.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
