FG Reinstates Ikechebelu, Modebelu as UNIZIK Acting VC and Registrar

The Federal Government has reinstated Professor Joseph Ikechebelu as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK).

This announcement was made by Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education.

According to Sani-Gwarzo, the reinstatement followed the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through a letter dated November 18, 2024.

The letter nullified the appointment of Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh as the 7th substantive vice chancellor of the university, citing his appointment by the dissolved 10th Council of UNIZIK as illegal.

“You are hereby directed to take charge of the administration of the university,” the letter stated.

Sani-Gwarzo further instructed Ikechebelu to refer any matters requiring council approval to the Minister of Education until a new council is constituted by President Tinubu.

This decision comes in the wake of President Tinubu’s dismissal of Professor Odoh, whose tenure as the seventh substantive vice-chancellor had been marred by controversy.

Professor Ikechebelu had previously been appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor in early June but was removed in late July by the university’s then-Governing Council.

Additionally, the government has reappointed Victor Modebelu as the Acting Registrar of UNIZIK.

Modebelu’s return follows President Tinubu’s dismissal of Rosemary Nwokike, the institution’s former substantive registrar.

Modebelu had previously held the position before Nwokike’s appointment.