Victor Ezeja
The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Education has nullified the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor for the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State.
A letter dated 1st November 2024 signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, and addressed to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University Governing Council, Greg Mbadiwe, said the appointment was done without due process.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPrime Business Africa reports that on Tuesday, 29 October, Greg Mbadiwe-led governing council appointed a substantive Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK, Prof. Benard Odoh, who took over from acting VC, Prof. Arinze-Umobi.
However, the appointment sparked protest in the university community as stakeholders accused the governing council chairman of imposing his anointed candidate on the people.
The letter signed by Mrs R. G. Ilyasu for the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, said the council chairman had gone ahead to appoint a Vice Chancellor for the University without involving the Representative of the Ministry, the internal council members and other Stakeholders.
The letter said the action was contrary to an agreement reached during a meeting held on Friday, 25th October, 2024 between the council and Minister of State for Education that no appointments should be carried out without reconciling with the aggrieved parties in the University Community.
The ministry observed that it is a gross disregard for constituted authority, adding that all appointments have been nullified. The council chairman was asked to put on hold all other appointments in the University pending the assumption on duty of the new Minister of Education.
“This is a Gross disregard to constituted Authority and is not in line with Extant provisions.
“Against this backdrop: I am directed to inform you that all appointments made so far are null and void. You are therefore requested to put on hold all other appointments in the University pending the assumption of duty of the new Honourable Minister of Education,” the statement said.
Responding, the UNIZIk authorities in a letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, claimed that the Pro-Chancellor did not have any “official meeting” with the outgoing minister of State for Education, adding that it was only “informal discussions” that took place.
In the letter signed by the newly appointed UNIZIK Registrar, Mrs Rosemary Nwokike, the school authorities argued such “informal discussions” do not supersede or alter the enforceability of the court judgement.
Nwokike, who is also secretary to the governing council claimed that the council “adhered strictly to a valid judgment from a competent court, which directed the Council to exercise its statutory authority in appointing the Vice-Chancellor.”
On the concerns raised about the absence of the education ministry’s representative, internal council members, and other stakeholders at the Vice-Chancellor appointment meeting, the letter said “all necessary protocols were observed,” adding that “Invitations were duly issued to all relevant parties, ensuring that everyone was informed and given the opportunity to attend.”
It further claimed that “the meeting saw participation from representatives of the Federal Character Commission, external and internal council members, and various other stakeholders, demonstrating a broad representation of interests.
“Additionally, we confirm that the quorum was duly constituted in compliance with the statutory requirements set forth in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act, Cap 139 (as amended), LFN 2004.
“Due process was meticulously observed throughout the selection and appointment processes for both the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar. The suggestion of ‘reconciling with aggrieved persons’ is not relevant to this procedural integrity.”
Prime Business Africa had reported that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNIZIK chapter, kicked against the appointment saying, no due process was followed in the appointment of the seventh substantive VC.
ASUU UNIZIK chapter accused the council chairman of skewing the selection process to favour his annointed candidate, adding that it was not transparent and inclusive.
It called on the federal government to remove the new VC, the Council chairman, University registrar, Mrs Ifeoma Nwokike, who was also allegedly appointed under a controversial circumstance and four other council members from the government side who aided the shambolic process and order commencement of fresh appointment process.
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.
