President Bola Tinubu has dissolved the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, and removed its newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Nwokike.
He also approved the removal of Ohieku Salami as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
The Presidency announced this on Wednesday in a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, titled ‘President Tinubu sacks Nnamdi Azikiwe University Council, VC and Registrar.’
The NAU council, led by Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, included five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Amioleran Osahon, and Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin (retd.).
“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,” said Onanuga.
Similarly, the Federal Ministry of Education has announced the removal of Odoh. The ministry also announced the dissolution of the institution’s Governing Council.
The announcement was made in a statement on Wednesday signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Education, Folashade Boriowo.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities had accused the Governing Council of the institution of failing to follow due process in the appointment of Odoh and had demanded that the FME dissolve the Council over acts of illegalities.
“The Federal Government has announced the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, following grave breaches of the laws governing the university and disregard for lawful directives from the Federal Ministry of Education.
“The decision comes after it was found that the Chairman of the Governing Council unilaterally appointed a Vice-Chancellor who did not meet the minimum eligibility criteria for the position. This led to a breakdown of law and order within the university community, causing tension and disharmony.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, emphasized that urgent measures were needed to prevent further deterioration of the situation at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, as the illegal decisions taken by the Governing Council posed a significant risk of further destabilizing the institution.
“The Honourable Minister of Education has also announced the removal of Prof. Bernard Odoh, the Vice-Chancellor who was illegally appointed by the dissolved Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
“In accordance with the university’s founding act, an Acting Vice-Chancellor will be appointed, and a new Governing Council for the university will be constituted as soon as possible to ensure proper governance and adherence to the law.”
Deborah Tolu-Kolawole @ThepUNCH
