The Federal Ministry of Education announced the removal of Professor Bernard Odoh as Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), Anambra State. Alongside this, the university’s Governing Council was also dissolved.
The decision, announced through a statement signed by Folashade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Education, came after allegations of procedural violations in Odoh’s appointment. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had earlier accused the Governing Council of ignoring due process and urged the ministry to address the alleged illegalities.
In the official statement, the ministry revealed that the Governing Council had breached university laws and disregarded directives. It highlighted that the council’s chairman had unilaterally appointed Professor Odoh, despite his failure to meet the required eligibility criteria. This act, according to the ministry, caused significant unrest and discontent within the university.
Read full statement below:
“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.”
