President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the new Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and the registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike,
A statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga issued on Wednesday in Abuja, added that the affected members of the council included Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, who is the chairman, Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, and Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
Onanuga said the sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice chancellor without following due process.
The statement added that “After the controversial appointment, the Federal Government stepped in to address tensions between the university’s Senate and the governing council of the 33-year-old institution.
“The government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process.”
Onanuga said Tinubu also approved the removal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami as the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo, Benue State.
He said Salami illegally suspended the Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures.
“Despite the Federal Ministry of Education’s call for the unlawful suspension to be revoked, Engr. Salami refused to comply. Instead, he resorted to abusive and threatening behaviour towards the Ministry’s Directors, including the Permanent Secretary,” the statement noted.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary responsibility of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of university activities in accordance with the act establishing each university.
Onanuga said Tinubu warned the councils not to create distractions in their universities as his government is focused on improving the country’s education standards.
