The Federal Ministry of Education has annulled the appointment of Professor Benard Odoh as Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. This decision follows mounting tension and opposition from stakeholders who challenged the controversial appointment.
Professor Odoh’s appointment, endorsed last week by a governing council led by Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, sparked immediate protests within the university community. However, a memo from the Federal Ministry of Education has now officially nullified the decision, citing procedural irregularities and a lack of consultation with key stakeholders.
The letter, signed by R. A. Ilyasu on behalf of the permanent secretary of the ministry, stated, “Sequel to your meeting with the Honourable Minister of State for Education held on Friday, 25th October 2024, it was formally agreed that no appointments should be carried out by your Council without reconciling with the stakeholders in the University Community.”
The letter further expressed concern over the council’s unilateral decision, noting, “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.” The ministry instructed the council to pause all future appointments pending the assumption of a new Minister of Education.
While the letter’s authenticity circulated widely on social media, it has yet to be fully verified. A senior university staff member told Nigerian Tribune, however, that the ministry has confirmed the document as genuine.
This development underscores the tension between university governance and federal oversight, with stakeholders now awaiting further guidance from the Ministry of Education.
