MARCEL MBAMALUThe recent upheavals surrounding the Vice-Chancellor appointments at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) present crucial lessons for the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), especially as the race for UNN’s leadership intensifies.
Both institutions have faced challenges rooted in political interference, procedural lapses, and breaches of regulatory guidelines. Ordinarily, too, any other university in the process of appointing a VC should be a keen watcher of events in UNIZIK.
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Transparent Processes Are Non-Negotiable
UNIZIK’s controversies stemmed from allegations of irregularities in the Vice-Chancellor selection process. Accusations included inadequate representation of stakeholders, non-compliance with statutory requirements, and disputes over candidates’ eligibility. Despite court judgments raised to back certain actions by UNIZIK’s Governing Council, the Ministry of Education nullified the appointments, citing the lack of Ministry representatives and internal council members at key meetings. This underscores the need for UNN’s Governing Council, led by General Ike Nwachukwu, to ensure that every step of its processes aligns strictly with statutory provisions and includes all relevant stakeholders.
The dissolved Governing Council in UNIZIK, led by Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, has become a byword for graft and show of shame. The humiliated VC, Prof. Bernard Odoh, did so much to prove that his appointment followed due process; that he was duly qualified to be appointed VC.
He engaged in several legitimacy-seeking efforts, buying endorsements from governors, and commandeering subordination from staff and associations. These actions were simply reminiscent of Nigeria’s gestapo politics. And his removal has shown that people of his type should remain in Nigeria politics, where he actually came from. Some members of staff and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in UNIZIK must feel vindicated and, perhaps, some sense of victory.
Guard against External Interference
Political influences have clouded the selection processes in both institutions. In UNIZIK, power dynamics involving state actors exacerbated tensions, leading to disharmony and litigation. For UNN, where the VC selection race also involves political undertones, neutrality and adherence to merit must guide the council’s decisions. Professor Romanus Ezeokonkwo, who became acting VC for two months, just after the expiration of Professor Charles Igwe’s tenure as substantive VC, had picked holes in the manner of his replacement, which was suggestive of political muzzling, but had to accept the situation. However, it remains to be seen how he responds this time, being part of the current race for VC in UNN.
Credibility and Inclusiveness Matter
Notably, the peaceful election of Ezeokonkwo, offers a positive contrast to UNIZIK. So was the peaceful transition to the second Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Polycarp Chigbu. UNIZIK also experienced two acting vice chancellors, but its own experience was marred by scandalous controversies. The now reappointed acting VC, Professor Joseph Ikechebelu, left office after a fight that ushered in Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi, who mid-wifed the recent controversies in the appointment of a substantive VC.
READ ALSO: Professor Romanus Ezeokonkwo: The Tense Finale To A New Acting VC For UNN
Avoiding UNIZIK’s Pitfalls
Credibility is what UNN must replicate in its upcoming substantive VC selection, ensuring broad inclusiveness and transparent procedure, it computational S. The Federal Government dissolved UNIZIK’s Governing Council for appointing a VC without meeting eligibility criteria and disregarding Ministry of Education’s directives.
UNN’s Governing Council must learn from this by strictly observing Federal Universities’ Acts, avoiding procedural short-cuts, and fostering unity within its academic community to prevent discord
The federal government should also investigate allegations of serious political meddling in university politics to caution the heavy, external political weights pressuring universities into parochial alliances. The lead up to the governing council elections in many Nigerian universities have seen intense tribal politics based on state of origin
Indeed, UNN’s leadership race presents an opportunity to strengthen institutional integrity by upholding best practices and avoiding the errors that plagued UNIZIK. As the university navigates the complex interplay of state politics and stakeholder interests, it must prioritize fairness, inclusiveness, and transparency to maintain its legacy of academic excellence.
Dr Mbamalu is a Jefferson Fellow, member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), communications/Media Consultant and Publisher, Prime Business Africa
Email: marcelmbamalu2@gmail.com
+2348094000017
Dr. Marcel Mbamalu is a communication scholar, journalist and entrepreneur. He holds a Ph.D in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and is the Chief Executive Officer Newstide Publications, the publishers of Prime Business Africa.
A seasoned journalist, he horned his journalism skills at The Guardian Newspaper, rising to the position of News Editor at the flagship of the Nigerian press. He has garnered multidisciplinary experience in marketing communication, public relations and media research, helping clients to deliver bespoke campaigns within Nigeria and across Africa.
He has built an expansive network in the media and has served as a media trainer for World Health Organisation (WHO) at various times in Northeast Nigeria. He has attended numerous media trainings, including the Bloomberg Financial Journalism Training and Reuters/AfDB training on Effective Coverage of Infrastructural Development of Africa.
A versatile media expert, he won the Jefferson Fellowship in 2023 as the sole Africa representative on the program. Dr Mbamalu was part of a global media team that covered the 2020 United State’s Presidential election. As Africa's sole representative in the 2023 Jefferson Fellowships, Dr Mbamalu was selected to tour the United States and Asia (Japan and Hong Kong) as part of a 12-man global team of journalists on a travel grant to report on inclusion, income gaps and migration issues between the US and Asia.
