The Federal Ministry of Education has declared the recent appointment of Bernard Odoh as Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, null and void.
The announcement follows the Governing Council’s decision on October 29, 2024, to appoint Odoh as the institution’s 7th substantive vice-chancellor, led by Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, during interviews with shortlisted candidates.
In a letter dated November 1, addressed to the Pro-Chancellor, Mrs. R.G. Ilyasu, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, stated that no appointments should have been made without reconciling issues with aggrieved parties within the university community.
The ministry noted that the council proceeded with the appointment without the involvement of the Ministry’s representatives, internal council members, and other stakeholders, which it described as a breach of protocol.
The letter further directed that all current appointments be considered void and that no further appointments be made until the new Minister of Education assumes office. This directive was copied to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission.
In a related development, the university’s Senate has expressed disapproval over the selection criteria, which it believes were not accurately published, and has resolved to abstain from further participation in the vice-chancellor selection process. T
he Senate seeks a formal corrigendum to address the criteria as advertised in the Vanguard Newspaper on September 12, 2024.
Additionally, the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of NAUTH, Nnewi, and Dr. Victor Modekwe have filed a lawsuit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) requesting an interlocutory injunction to halt the appointment process until their case is heard.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Nnamdi Azikiwe University also filed a suit challenging the legality of Odoh’s and Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike’s appointments as Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, respectively. ASUU is seeking a court order to prevent the two from performing their roles, claiming that the appointments are unilateral, illegal, and void.
Odoh, a graduate of the university and former Secretary to the Government of Ebonyi State, joined Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s Department of Geological Sciences in 2009, rising to the rank of Reader by 2019. Despite protests over alleged irregularities in the selection process, the Governing Council moved forward with his appointment.
