A leadership crisis has taken over Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State as two individuals are currently vying for the position of Vice Chancellor.
The commotion ensued with the dismissal of Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, who had been acting as VC, by the university’s governing council led by Amb. Greg Mbadiwe.
Prof. Carol Umobi has been appointed by the council as the new Acting Vice Chancellor.
Nonetheless, the change was not accepted by the university’s management.
Registrar Samuel N. Ujoh released a statement stating that no official decision was reached during what they referred to as an unsuccessful council meeting and confirmed Ikechebelu’s status quo position as acting VC.
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In spite of this, the governing council persisted in declaring Prof. Umobi as the new Acting Vice Chancellor and stood firm on their decision to replace Ikechebelu. The meeting took place with high security measures at the administrative block of the university and was fraught with tension as security personnel accompanied both Pro-Chancellor representatives and council members who were met with resistance when trying to enter into Senate chamber.
Two months earlier, Prof. Ikechebelu took over as the acting VC following in the footsteps of Prof. Charles Esimone.
Amid the disagreement, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe released a letter wherein he extended his congratulations to Prof. Umobi for her appointment and affirmed that it was in accordance with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act as well as amendments made by Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 2007. He clarified that her term would span six months from Monday, July 22nd, 2024; furthermore, he confirmed that these guidelines had been approved by the Federal Government for all federal universities. Additionally, Minister of Education received a copy of this announcement letter so they may take appropriate actions on their end.
The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman sounded a note of warning to governing council members during the recent inauguration ceremony for tertiary institutions in Abuja. He reiterated that there exists a clear demarcation between management and councils’ roles with regards to daily administrative activities such as finances and material resources. Accordingly, he advised against any form of interference from councils on these matters for efficient governance purpose.
