Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Federal Government has declared as null and void the appointment of substantive Vice-Chancellor and Registrar for Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
The Federal Ministry of Education made the declaration barely one week after the Greg Mbadiwe-led governing council of the institution appointed Prof. Benard Odoh as the substantive VC.
In a letter dated November 1, 2024, signed by Mrs. R.G. Ilyasu on behalf of the permanent secretary, it was revealed that the Minister of State for Education had met with the governing council on October 24 and agreed to reconcile with aggrieved parties before making any appointments.
However, in a surprising move, the council went ahead and appointed a Vice Chancellor on October 29, 2024, without representatives from the Ministry of Education, internal council members, or other stakeholders present.
According to the letter, which was also copied to the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Federal ministry deemed the action as a gross disregard for constituted authority and not in line with existing provisions.
The letter reads in part: “It has come to the attention of the Ministry that your council had gone ahead to appoint a Vice Chancellor for the university without the representation of the Ministry, internal council members, and other stakeholders on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. This is a gross disregard for constituted authority and is not in line with existing provisions.”
Against this backdrop, the letter states: “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 Honorable Minister of Education. Please accept the assurances of the esteemed regards and considerations of the Permanent Secretary of Education.”
Special Adviser to the Vice Chancellor on Information and Public Relations, Emmanuel Ojukwu, has confirmed the authenticity of the letter, noting that the university will respond to it.
