President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly considering dissolving the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK) due to the contentions and acrimony generated by Prof Bernard Odoh’s appointment as vice-chancellor.
The controversy began when Mr. Odoh’s academic record was questioned. Specifically, Odoh claimed to have been a visiting professor at the Federal University, Gusau (FUGUS), between July 2015 and October 2017. However, FUGUS and the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have disputed this claim
Also, ASUU and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria alleged irregularities in the appointment process, including the non-publication of the vacancy for the top job and other recruitment procedural irregularities.
The Federal Ministry of Education subsequently invalidated Odoh’s appointment, citing the lack of involvement of any ministry’s representatives, internal council members, and other stakeholders.
There is growing apprehension in the university of the information that filtered down that the president may altogether dissolve the Governing Council, which made the controversial appointment.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, is expected to make a pronouncement to the public as early as Wednesday.
If the council that appointed Professor Odoh is dissolved, his fate could be uncertain. While some speculate that he should retain his position before the possible dissolution, others argue that his appointment would have become illegitimate if the council is dissolved.
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