The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Benard Odoh, has denied claims that his appointment has been voided.
In a press release issued by his personal media assistant, Mr Charles Otu, Prof. Odoh emphasised that his appointment adhered to all stipulated guidelines and confirmed that he would assume office on Tuesday.
This clarification follows a letter from the Federal Ministry of Education, signed by Mrs. R.G. Ilyasu on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, which alleged that the appointment had been declared null and void.
However, in a statement signed by Otu and made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Awka on Monday, it was asserted that due process was strictly followed during the selection of Prof. Odoh as Vice-Chancellor by the university’s governing council.
He stated: “Based on Nigeria’s extant laws, the Ministry of Education only oversees general educational standards across the nation but does not have the legal power to direct or control the daily decisions of a university council, including who should be appointed as Vice-Chancellor.
“The institution has rightly stated that all its actions were informed and conform with the statutory requirements set forth in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act, Cap. 139 (as amended), LFN 2004.
“The Registrar, who doubles as the Secretary to the Council, had replied that the actions of the Council were in total conformity with the provisions of Section 6 (a) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Standing Orders of the Governing Council, which stipulates the quorum requirements that mandate the presence of five members, including at least one of the following: the Vice-Chancellor or his Deputy, one appointee of the Visitor, and one appointee of the Senate.
“For further clarification, the attention of the general public must be drawn first and foremost to the fact that our extant laws clearly specified the roles of the Governing Council of a tertiary institution vis-à-vis those of the Visitor and the parent Ministry of Education.”
“In Nigeria, the university governing council plays a unique and critical role in the administration and governance of universities.
“It is a special body legally granted the authority to oversee the university’s operations, including making key decisions about policies, finances, and appointments—such as choosing a Vice-Chancellor (VC).
“This council is designed to function independently, separate from the direct control of external bodies, including the Federal Ministry of Education.
“Therefore, when the Council reaches a decision, such as appointing a new Vice-Chancellor (as it has in the case of UNIZIK), it communicates this decision to the Ministry as a form of official notice. This is done to ensure transparency and coordination, not for approval or oversight.
“As a matter of fact, Nigerian law recognises university councils as autonomous bodies with the right to govern their institutions independently.”
Prof. Odoh described the opposition from those whose preferred candidates were not selected as unhealthy and distracting.
He noted, “Some of the suspected sponsors of these falsehoods that have been circulating since the official announcement of my appointment have now taken this too far.”
He urged members of the university community to maintain peace, reiterating that, as previously announced by the university, he would officially assume office on Tuesday. This event will be marked by a Catholic mass and the blessing of his office by a Catholic Bishop.
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