Appointment controversy: Tinubu dissolves UNIZIK Governing Council, removes VC, Registrar
…Reshuffles Pro-Chancellors of Oye-Ekiti, Lokoja varsities
By Sodiq Adelakun
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and the removal of key officials, including the newly appointed Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and the Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
A statement issued by Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council, led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, had illegally appointed Prof. Odoh as Vice Chancellor without adhering to the necessary due process.
“The Federal Government expressed concern over the council’s disregard for the university’s governing laws in the selection process,” the statement read partly. .
In addition to the shake-up at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, President Tinubu also approved the removal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami as the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
The decision followed Salami’s actions in suspending the university’s Vice Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures and his defiance of directives from the Federal Ministry of Education.
“The primary responsibility of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of university activities in accordance with the act establishing each institution,” the statement emphasised.
It also condemned Salami’s abusive behaviour toward Ministry officials, including the Permanent Secretary, and reiterated the need for university councils to operate within the law.
President Tinubu warned that his administration would not tolerate any actions that disrupt the progress of universities and that all council members must uphold the integrity and operational standards of their institutions.
Tinubu has also approved the immediate swapping of the Pro-Chancellors of Federal University Oye-Ekiti and Federal University Lokoja.
In the statement issued by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the reshuffle sees Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, currently the Pro-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, assume the same role at Federal University Oye-Ekiti in Ekiti State.
Engineer Kayode Ojo, who previously held the position at Oye-Ekiti, will now take over the role at Lokoja.
Onanuga explained that the reshuffling is part of President Tinubu’s broader strategy to promote diversity in the leadership of Nigerian universities, ensuring that appointments reflect a balance of regional and national interests.
