President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dissolved the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, and dismissed the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and the Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, included Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
Their removal follows allegations of illegally appointing an unqualified vice-chancellor without due process.
The Federal Government intervened after the controversial appointment caused tensions between the university’s senate and the governing council. It criticised the council for disregarding the institution’s laws during the selection process.
According to Onanuga, “The government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process.”
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of unlawfully suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor against official procedures.
Despite directives from the Federal Ministry of Education to reverse the suspension, Salami allegedly refused to comply and was reported to have exhibited abusive and threatening behaviour towards Ministry officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government emphasised that university councils must operate in line with their enabling laws to ensure smooth governance.
“President Tinubu warned the councils not to create distractions in their universities as his government is focused on improving the country’s education standards,” the statement concluded.
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