Tinubu sacks Nnamdi Azikiwe varsity VC, dissolves governing council

President Bola Tinubu has sacked the new Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Anambra State, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and also approved the dissolution of the governing council of the 33-year-old institution.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Wednesday, said the President also sacked the institution’s Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.

The dissolved council, led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, included five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, and Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.

“The sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process,” Onanuga said.

He said the controversial appointment drew the attention of the Federal Government after tensions arose between the institution’s Senate and the governing council.

He said the government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process.

Onanuga further stated that the President approved the removal of the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the governing council of the Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo, Benue State, Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami.

The decision followed Salami’s illegal actions, including suspending the Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, the presidential spokesman said.

“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,” he said.

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.

Tinubu warned the councils not to create distractions in their universities as his government is focused on improving the country’s education standards.