President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, and the dismissal of key officials, including Vice Chancellor Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh and Registrar Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The decision, announced on Wednesday in a statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, follows allegations of irregularities in the council’s appointment process. The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, reportedly bypassed due process to appoint an unqualified candidate as Vice Chancellor.
Other council members affected by the dissolution include Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
The Federal Government intervened after escalating tensions between the university’s Senate and the governing council. Authorities expressed concern over what they described as a blatant disregard for the institution’s governing laws in the selection process, a move that undermined its integrity.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the removal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
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Engr. Salami was accused of illegally suspending the university’s Vice Chancellor without adhering to established procedures. Despite repeated directives from the Federal Ministry of Education to reverse the suspension, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to abusive behavior towards ministry officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government emphasized that the primary duty of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of institutions in line with their founding acts. President Tinubu warned councils against actions that disrupt academic and administrative activities, reaffirming his administration’s focus on improving education standards across Nigeria.
These decisive actions reflect the government’s commitment to addressing governance lapses and upholding accountability in the nation’s higher education system.
