Barely 48 hours into his appointment as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Unizik, Awka, Anambra State, the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Education has reportedly nullified the appointment of Prof Bernard Odoh.
The education supervising ministry has annulled the recent appointment of Prof Bernard Odoh as the Vice Chancellor of the university following his appointment on Tuesday by the Governing Council of the university led by Amb. Greg Mbadiwe in a circumstance that was 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 reads: “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, 29th 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”.
According to a senior staff of the university, the letter currently going viral on social media is authentic.