President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sacked the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Bernard Odoh.
Tinubu, in a statement made available to POLITICS NIGERIA on Wednesday, signed by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, dissolved the Governing Council of the University citing irregularities in the appointment of the institution’s new Vice-Chancellor and Registrar.
This newspaper recalls that Odoh was recently appointed as Vice-Chancellor, and Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike, the Registrar.
The council, previously chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, included members Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
The council had appointed Odoh who was unqualified to be Vice-Chancellor, allegedly bypassing due processes outlined by the university’s governing laws.
Following this controversial appointment, tensions between the university’s Senate and its Governing Council escalated, prompting the Federal Government’s intervention. In its statement, the government criticized the council for neglecting its primary role of ensuring smooth and lawful operations in line with the institution’s establishment act.
Similar Actions in Benue State
In a related development, President Tinubu also dismissed Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of unlawfully suspending the Vice-Chancellor without adhering to established procedures. Despite instructions from the Federal Ministry of Education to reverse the suspension, Salami reportedly refused and engaged in abusive behavior towards ministry officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
Presidential Warning on Governance in Education
The President, in the statement, also emphasized the importance of maintaining professionalism and adherence to statutory regulations within university councils.
He cautioned against actions that distract from the government’s broader goal of elevating Nigeria’s educational standards.