The dismissed Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Benard Odoh, called on the Federal Ministry of Education to avoid escalating tensions at the institution and to respect the authority of the courts that are currently handling several lawsuits related to his dismissal. He urged the ministry not to act hastily without reliable evidence.
Odoh made these statements in response to a letter from the Ministry of Education, signed by Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, which announced his removal and the dissolution of the university’s governing council. In a response issued by his Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Charles Otu, Odoh condemned the letter as “mischievous,” “strange,” and an attempt to destabilize the institution. He reiterated that the appointment of the seventh substantive Vice Chancellor and the composition of the governing council followed due process.
Odoh also pointed out that the letter was contemptuous, as the matter is still under judicial review. He emphasized that the Ministry of Education is a defendant in two ongoing lawsuits at the National Industrial Court (Suit Nos: NICN/ABJ/383/2024 and NICN/ABJ/372/2024), which challenge the legality of his appointment. Despite this, the ministry issued its own judgment, a move Odoh described as unprecedented, given that the ministry had not filed a counterclaim in the cases.
He further questioned whether any crisis had occurred at the university since his appointment. “Has there been any crisis, or even a breakdown of law and order in the institution since the inauguration of the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor? The answer is no,” Odoh stated. He explained that both the Awka campus and its sister campuses had remained peaceful and that he had been able to perform his duties effectively.
Odoh suggested that the ministry’s actions might be influenced by certain “fifth columnists” attempting to create discord through “dictatorial” actions. He pointed out that this was the second time in under three weeks that the Ministry of Education had violated the University Act by announcing his removal without due process, particularly with the matter still under judicial review.
Another flaw Odoh noted was that the letter had not been formally communicated to the Chairman of the Governing Council, nor was it signed by the President or the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who had issued the original council appointment letters. Instead, it was signed by a Public Relations Director, raising doubts about its authenticity.
Odoh concluded by urging all parties to allow the courts to resolve the issue according to the law and called on the university community to maintain peace and continue their lawful activities.
President Bola Tinubu had sacked the newly appointed Vice-chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU), Bernard Odoh.
NAU, a federal university in Anambra State, is popularly known as UNIZIK.
Mt Tinubu also dissolved the university’s Governing Council led by Greg Mbadiwe.
Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to Mr Tinubu on Information and Strategy, announced this in a statement on Wednesday.
The President had approved the dissolution of the Governing Council over the controversial appointment of Mr Odoh as the vice-chancellor of the university.
Mr Odoh, a professor, emerged as the seventh substantive vice-chancellor of the university on 29 October.
The Mr Mbadiwe-led Governing Council had earlier appointed Rosemary Nwokike as the university’s Registrar.
Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to Mr Tinubu on Information and Strategy, announced this in a statement on Wednesday.
“The sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process,” Mr Onanuga said.
“After the controversial appointment, the federal government stepped in to address tensions between the university’s Senate and the Governing Council of the 23-year-old institution,” he added.
The special adviser said the federal government has expressed “concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process.”
