The Federal Ministry of Education has officially nullified the recent appointment of Professor Bernard Odoh as Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UniZik) in Anambra State.
This decision follows protests and growing dissatisfaction among stakeholders, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), regarding the appointment process.
In a letter issued to the university’s Pro-Chancellor and copied to the National Universities Commission (NUC), Permanent Secretary Mrs. Rakiya Ilyasu highlighted the Ministry’s concerns over “gross disregard for constituted authority.”
The Ministry’s letter noted that the appointment of Professor Odoh was carried out without the presence of the Ministry’s representative, internal council members, and other key stakeholders, a process deemed unacceptable by officials.
“This is a gross disregard to constituted authority and is not in line with extant provisions,” stated Ilyasu, who directed that all appointments at the university be suspended until the new Minister of Education assumes office.
According to the Ministry, the decision aims to restore due process in the university’s administrative affairs.
In response, UniZik’s Registrar and secretary of the governing council, Rosemary Nwokike, issued a formal rebuttal.
She contended that all necessary protocols had been observed during the selection process, including inviting all relevant stakeholders to the appointment meeting on October 29.
“The meeting saw participation from representatives of the Federal Character Commission, external and internal Council members, and various other stakeholders,” she stated, attaching documentation of attendance, photographs, and official notices as evidence.
Nwokike also asserted that a quorum was met, in compliance with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act.
The Ministry’s decision comes just days before Odoh’s planned thanksgiving service, an event initially announced by Emmanuel Ojukwu, Special Adviser to the Vice Chancellor, to be officiated by the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi, Most Reverend Jonas Benson Okoye.
This high-profile event was set to mark Odoh’s formal first day in office.
Now, with the annulment order in place, the future of Odoh’s role at the university remains uncertain as the Ministry pushes for adherence to what it describes as necessary procedural standards.
