Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, is currently engulfed in confusion following the Federal Ministry of Education’s decision to nullify the recent appointments of Prof. Benard Odoh as Vice Chancellor and Barr. Rosemary Nwokike as Registrar. This decision, communicated through a letter from the ministry, has sparked mixed reactions within the university community, with factions forming both in support of and against the annulled appointments.
The letter, dated November 1, 2024, and signed by Mrs. R.G. Ilyasu on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, indicated that the appointments made by the university’s council disregarded prior directives. According to the ministry, a meeting held with the Honorable Minister of State for Education on October 29, 2024, concluded with an agreement that no key appointments should be made without first resolving issues with aggrieved parties within the university. However, it appears that the university council proceeded with the appointments of Prof. Odoh and Barr. Nwokike on the same day, allegedly without the input of ministry representatives and other stakeholders.
The ministry’s letter stated: “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 representatives of the Ministry and other stakeholders... This is a gross disregard for constituted authority and is not in line with extant provisions.” As a result, the ministry declared that all appointments made under these circumstances are “null and void.” It further directed the university to suspend any pending appointments until the newly appointed Minister for Education assumes office.
The letter was also copied to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Prof. Benard Odoh had planned to hold a thanksgiving ceremony on the upcoming Tuesday to mark his appointment as Vice Chancellor. However, the recent decision has cast uncertainty over these plans and his future at the university. While some lecturers loyal to Prof. Odoh have dismissed the nullification as inconsequential, others who opposed his appointment view the ministry’s intervention as a necessary corrective measure.
Dr. Emma Ojukwu, the Special Adviser to the Vice Chancellor on Information and Public Relations, confirmed the receipt of the letter from the ministry. He assured that further information would be provided as the situation unfolds.
The Federal Ministry of Education’s decision has thrown the university’s administration into disarray, leaving stakeholders to await further guidance. This development underscores ongoing tensions and the need for careful management of leadership transitions in Nigerian universities.
