In a decisive move, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dissolved the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, and removed key officials, including the newly appointed Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and the Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike. This action follows reports of irregularities in the appointment process.
The council, led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, was accused of appointing an unqualified vice-chancellor without adhering to due process. Other council members affected include Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
“The Federal Government had to step in to address the tensions between the university’s Senate and the governing council,” a government spokesperson stated. The 33-year-old institution has been embroiled in controversy over the council’s apparent disregard for university laws during the selection process.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the removal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami as the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences in Oturkpo, Benue State. Salami’s removal was due to his illegal suspension of the Vice-Chancellor without following prescribed procedures.
Despite calls from the Federal Ministry of Education to revoke the unlawful suspension, Salami refused to comply and allegedly resorted to abusive and threatening behavior towards Ministry officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
“The primary responsibility of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of university activities in accordance with the act establishing each university,” the Federal Government reiterated. President Tinubu emphasized that his administration is focused on improving the country’s education standards and warned university councils against creating distractions.
