FG Voids Appointment Of Bernard Odoh As Nnamdi Azikiwe University VC

The Federal Ministry of Education has nullified the recent appointment of Bernard Odoh as Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.

The University’s Governing Council had announced Odoh’s appointment as the institution’s 7th substantive vice-chancellor on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

The decision was made under the leadership of the Pro-Chancellor and Council Chairman, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, following interviews with shortlisted candidates.

However, in a letter dated November 1 and signed by Mrs. R. G. Ilyasu on behalf of the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, the Ministry of Education directed the council to retract the appointment.

The ministry cited an agreement reached on October 25 with the Honourable Minister of State for Education, stating that no new appointments should proceed without addressing grievances within the university community.

The letter reads, “Sequel to your meeting with the Honourable Minister of State for Education, (HMSE) held on Friday, 25th October, 2024, it was formally agreed that no appointments should be carried out by your Council without reconciling with the aggrieved parties in the University Community.

“It has come to the attention of the Ministry that your Council had gone ahead to appoint a Vice Chancellor for the University without the Representative of the Ministry, the internal council members and other Stakeholders on Tuesday, 29th October, 2024. This is a gross disregard to constituted Authority and is not in line with Extant provisions.

“Against this backdrop: I am directed to inform you that all appointments made so far are null and void. You are therefore requested put on hold all other appointments in the University pending the assumption on duty of the new Honourable Minister of Education.”

The letter was also sent to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission for further action.