BREAKING: Tinubu Approves Sack of UNIZIK Governing Council and Others

Editorial

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, dissolved the Governing Council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, and the sack of the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh. Also sacked by the president is UNIZIK’s registrar, Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.

The president wielded the big harmer in response to the appointment of a vice-chancellor for the 33-year institution without following due process.

Recall that since the appointment of Prof. Odoh as the Vice-Chancellor of the university on October 29, 2024, the academic centre has not been able to hold in the institution with infighting reported in the academic community.

The directive was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, November 20. And it reads in part: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, the new Vice Chancellor, and Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike, the registrar.

“The council, led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, included five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, and Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.

“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 23-year-old institution.

“The government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process.”