Admiralty varsity governing council confirms Prof Ogbogbo as substantive VC

The Governing Council of the Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN), a university established by the Nigerian Navy, has reaffirmed the appointment of Prof. Christopher Ogbogbo as the substantive Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university, effective Monday, March 10.

The Governing Council, in a declassified report of its meeting as directed by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed Ogbogbo’s appointment in line with the laid-down rules and procedures of the ADUN Law.

This was contained in a statement on Wednesday by the Registrar and Secretary to the ADUN Council, Navy Commodore Isaac Mankilik (Retd.).

The statement clarified that the move was in response to “a wave of inaccurate and misleading online and tabloid publications” on the matter.

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The Registrar explained that the Minister had approved the declassification of the Council report from the 2nd Extraordinary Council meeting for release to the general public, adding that it was fundamental to note that the final report was discussed, ratified, and adopted by the House before being signed.

He further clarified that Ogbogbo’s appointment was officially communicated by the Registrar and Secretary to the Council during the Council meeting held on Wednesday, Feb. 26, and Friday, Feb. 28, this year.

He added that the Council’s decision was made in strict adherence to the provisions of the Admiralty University of Nigeria Establishment Act 2022 – First Schedule 4 (1) (h) (2) and 38.

According to him, “the Council selected Prof. Ogbogbo from the three candidates recommended by the Joint Selection Board, as mandated by Section 4(1), subsections 5 and 6 of the ADUN Act 2022,” adding that the Act does not require the Council to select the candidate with the highest score.

A review of the Council meeting report published by the university showed that 9 out of 15 members of the Council voted for Ogbogbo, and 13 out of the 15 members subsequently signed the report before it was submitted to the Minister on Monday.

“The general public is requested to note that the final process in selecting a Vice-Chancellor is by selection and not based on marks awarded by the Joint Selection Board.

“For the avoidance of doubt, what is important is that the selected candidate must be one of the three recommended by the Joint Selection Board.

“On the last day of the Council meeting on Feb. 28, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Rear Adm. MM Abdullahi, a member of the Council, was nominated as Acting Chairman since the Chairman was absent,” the university’s Registrar said.

Earlier, in a memo dated March 3 and signed by the Deputy Registrar, Establishment, Gideon Orhewere, the university upheld Ogbogbo’s appointment. It directed the Deputy Vice-Chancellor to act in the interim pending Ogbogbo’s assumption of office.

“The Governing Council, at its 2nd Extraordinary Meeting held on Feb. 26 and 28, 2025, considered the report of the Joint Selection Board and appointed Christopher Ogbogbo, a professor, as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university,” the statement reads in part.

“It is to be noted that the appointment of Dili Ofuokwu as Acting Vice-Chancellor automatically terminates upon the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor. Consequently, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) is acting in the interim pending the assumption of duty by the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor.”

According to the statement, Prof. Ogbogbo brings a wealth of academic and administrative experience to ADUN.

He holds a B.A. (Hons), M.A., and Ph.D. in History from the University of Ibadan, as well as LLB and LLM degrees from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and a professional law qualification from the Nigerian Law School, Abuja.

A distinguished Professor of History at the University of Ibadan, Professor Ogbogbo is the Immediate Past National President of the Historical Society of Nigeria and Vice-President of the Association of African Historians.

He is a Fellow of several prestigious organizations, including the Historical Society of Nigeria, the Philosophers Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, the Society for Peace Studies & Practice, and the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy. He is also a senior member of the Nigerian Bar Association.

With 36 years of experience in lecturing and research, Professor Ogbogbo has supervised 15 doctoral theses and approximately 120 master’s degree dissertations. His extensive academic career includes visiting scholar positions at Northwestern University (USA), St. Augustine University of Tanzania, the University of Benin, and a Visiting Professorship at Kennesaw State University (USA).

He has also served as a consultant to the University of Gambia and an adjunct Professor at Zehijang Normal University (China). Currently, he is the Director of Research at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.

Professor Ogbogbo is a prolific author, with over 90 publications in reputable academic journals and books. He has received numerous academic laurels and grants, including those from the Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA), the MacArthur Foundation, and the University of Ibadan.

His research focuses on African History, with particular emphasis on the Niger Delta, security issues, and nation-building in Nigeria. He is a consultant to various organizations, including the Federal Ministry of Education, ECOWAS, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Deutsche Welle.

He is also an adviser to the American Council for Learned Societies (AHP) and a member of several prominent academic bodies.

Born in Lagos to parents from Ogwashi-Uku in Anioma South Local Government Area of Delta State, Professor Ogbogbo is married with children. His current professional passion is to foster a deeper understanding of history among Nigerian citizens.

It is hoped that Professor Ogbogbo’s extensive experience and leadership will guide Admiralty University of Nigeria to new heights of academic excellence.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE