President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and the removal of the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, along with the Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike.
A statement issued by the special adviser to be the president on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the move comes amid allegations of procedural violations in the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor.
The university’s Governing Council, led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe and including five other members—Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin—was accused of bypassing due process to appoint an unqualified candidate, prompting federal intervention.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, the new Vice Chancellor, and Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike, the Registrar.
“The council, led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, included five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, and Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
“The sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process.
“After the controversial appointment, the Federal Government stepped in to address tensions between the university’s Senate and the governing council of the 33-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 said.
