President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the decision was made in response to allegations of procedural violations during the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor.
The university’s Governing Council, led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe and comprising five other members—Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin—was accused of bypassing due process in the selection of an unqualified candidate for the position of Vice-Chancellor.
This prompted intervention from the federal government.
The statement read: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and the removal of Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh as Vice-Chancellor, and Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike as Registrar.
The dissolution follows reports that the council unlawfully appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without adhering to the necessary procedures.”
The controversy arose following the council’s controversial appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor, which led to tensions between the university’s Senate and the Governing Council.
The federal government expressed concern over the council’s disregard for the university’s governance laws during the selection process.
The statement emphasised that the role of university councils is to ensure the proper functioning of institutions in line with established laws, and warned against creating unnecessary disruptions that could hinder the country’s education system.
President Tinubu reiterated his commitment to improving education standards across Nigeria and urged university councils to focus on their responsibilities without causing unnecessary distractions.
