President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dissolved the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, and removed its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, alongside Registrar Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The now-defunct council, was chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, included members Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
MUK TV reports that Prof. Odoh’s appointment, a former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi State and the first Ebonyi man to have ascended that position in UNIZIK, ignited a leadership crisis within the institution.
Allegations arose that the council bypassed due process and appointed an unqualified candidate, further fueling tensions.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, explained the rationale behind the decision.
“The Federal Government stepped in to address tensions between the university’s Senate and the governing council of the 23-year-old institution. The government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process,” the statement read.
In a related move, Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the Vice Chancellor without adhering to prescribed procedures.
“Despite the Federal Ministry of Education’s call for the unlawful suspension to be revoked, Engr. Salami refused to comply. Instead, he resorted to abusive and threatening behaviour towards the Ministry’s Directors, including the Permanent Secretary,” the statement added.
President Tinubu made it known that university councils are responsible for ensuring smooth operations in line with the laws establishing each institution.
He warned against any actions that might disrupt university activities, reiterating his administration’s commitment to raising educational standards across Nigeria.
