Ministry of Education rescinds Odoh’s appointment as VC of Nnamdi Azikiwe University
The Federal Ministry of Education has nullified the appointment of Bernard Odoh as the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
This much was contained in a letter dated November 1, addressed to the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Council by Mrs. R. G. Ilyasu for the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.
The Ministry noted that there was already an agreement in place that ruled out any appointments without the aggrieved parties of the school being reconciled.
“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.
“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 read.
Recall that, on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, Odoh was appointed as the school’s 7th substantive vice-chancellor by the Governing Council of the University led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Amb. Greg Mbadiwe.
The school’s Senate had previously resolved not to take any further part in the selection of the Vice-Chancellor and like until the requirements contained in the September 12, 2024 edition of Vanguard Newspaper for the selection of Vice-Chancellor are corrected publicly.
Following the controversial appointment of Odoh, the Incorporated Trustees of Medical and Dental Consultants Association of NAUTH, Nnewi and Dr. Victor Modekwe had filed a suit before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), seeking an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the 1st and 4th Defendants/ Respondents, their agents, assigns, servants, representatives, privies, or any other party acting on their behalf from carrying on with the process of appointment of a Vice-Chancellor based on the publication of September 12, 2024 pending the hearing and determination of the lawsuit.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, the National Universities Commission, the Federal Ministry of Education and The Council, Nnamdi Azikiwe University were joined in the suit marked No. NICN/ABJ/383/2024 as the 1st to 4th Defendants/Respondents.
Also joined in the suit as the 5th and 6th Defendants/Respondents respectively are Prof. Carol Arinze Umobi, Ag. Vice Chancellor, and Mr. Victor Modebelu, Ag. Registrar of the University.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the school has, also, filed a lawsuit against the appointment of Odoh and Mrs Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike as the Vice Chancellor and Registrar of the University respectively.
