The Federal Government has voided the appointment of Benard Odoh as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Akwa, Anambra State.
The appointments of Mr Odoh and the new registrar of the institution were voided by the Federal Ministry of Education on behalf of the Nigerian government.
Mr Odoh and the registrar were appointed by the Greg Mbadiwe-led governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
However, barely four days into their appointment, the Ministry of Education declared the appointment of the registrar of the university null and void.
A letter dated November 1, 2024, signed by R.G. Ilyasu on behalf of the permanent secretary of the ministry said the Minister of State for Education had on October 24, 2024, in a meeting with the governing council of the university agreed with the council that no appointments shall be made without reconciling with aggrieved parties in the university.
It stated that surprisingly the council went ahead and appointed a vice chancellor without representatives of the Ministry of Education, the internal council members and other stakeholders.
According to the letter, which is copied to the National Universities Commission (NUC), the appointment is a gross disregard to constituted authority and is not in line with extant provisions.
The letter reads in parts “It has come to the attention of the Ministry that your Council had gone ahead to appoint a Vice Chancellor for the University without the Representative of the Ministry, the internal council members and other stakeholders on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
This is a gross disregard for constituted Authority and is not in line with extant provisions.
