By Amofokhai Williams
President Bola Tinubu has dissolved the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, and sacked its newly appointed Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, along with the registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The Alarmee reports that the council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, also comprised Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
This is contained in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said this action followed allegations that the council appointed an unqualified vice chancellor without adhering to due process, triggering tensions between the university’s Senate and its governing council.
The Federal Government intervened, citing a blatant disregard for the institution’s governing laws during the selection process.
In a related development, President Tinubu also removed Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of illegally suspending the university’s Vice Chancellor without following established procedures. Despite directives from the Federal Ministry of Education to reverse the suspension, Salami reportedly refused to comply and engaged in abusive and threatening behaviour towards Ministry officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that university councils are mandated to ensure the proper functioning of their institutions in line with their establishment acts.
President Tinubu cautioned university councils to avoid unnecessary distractions, emphasising his administration’s commitment to improving education standards in Nigeria.
