The Federal Ministry of Education has waded into the internal crisis ravaging Nnamdi Azikiwe University following the process of the appointment of 7th substantive Vice Chancellor.
The education supervising ministry has annulled the recent appointment of Prof Bernard Odoh as the Vice Chancellor of the university.
Prof Odoh was on Tuesday announced as the substantive vice chancellor by the Council led by Amb. Greg Mbadiwe in a circumstance that is not acceptable to some stakeholders which prompted protests in some quarters.
A letter from the ministry of Education signed by the Permanent Secretary Mrs R. G. Ilyasu, has rendered the action of the council null and void.
The Letter Read
“RE APPOINTMENT OF SUBSTANTIVE VICE CHANCELLOR AND REGISTRAR FOR NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY AWKA.
“Sequel to your meating with the Honourable Minister of State for Education (MSE) held on Friday, 25” October,2024, it was formally agreed that no appointments should be carried out by your Council without reconciling with the stakeholders in the University Community.
“It has come to the attention of the Ministry that your Council had gone ahead to appoint a Vice Chancellor for the University without the Representative of the Ministry, the internal council members and other Stakeholders on Tuesday, 29” October, 2024.
“This is a gross disregard to constituted Authority and is not in line with extant provisions. Against this backdrop; I am directed to inform you that all appointments made are null and void.
“You are therefore requested put on hold all other appointments in the University pending the assumption on duty of the new Honorable Minster of Education. Please accept the assurances of the esteemed regards and considerations of the Permanent Secretary Education”.
A senior staff of the university said that the letter currently going viral on social media is authentic.