The Federal Ministry of Education has declared as null and void the recent appointment of Bernard Odoh as the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.
The Governing Council of the University recently appointed Odoh as the school’s 7th substantive vice-chancellor.
Odoh was appointed on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 by the University’s Governing Council led by the Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Amb. Greg Mbadiwe, during an interview with the candidates shortlisted for the position of the vice chancellor.
In a letter addressed to the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Council by Mrs. R. G. Ilyasu for the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, and dated November 1, the ministry said it had been agreed that there would be no appointments without reconciliation with the aggrieved parties of the school.
The letter reads, “Sequel to your meeting with the Honourable Minister of State for Education, (HMSE) held on Friday, 25th October, 2024, it was formally agreed that no appointments should be carried out by your Council without reconciling with the aggrieved parties 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 so far 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 Honourable Minister of Education,” it added.
The letter was copied to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission.