Nnamdi Azikiwe University Declares Vacancy for Vice-Chancellor
When the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, released its latest advertisement declaring the position of Vice-Chancellor vacant effective November 19, 2025, it was not just an administrative formality. For staff, students, and alumni of the institution, it marked the opening of a new chapter — and potentially, a new round of political maneuvering, academic debate, and power play that has historically accompanied the selection of a new helmsman for one of Nigeria’s most prestigious federal universities.
The advert, issued by the Registrar and Secretary to Council, Dr. Chinonye Gloria Okeke, is straightforward: applications are invited from distinguished professors with strong academic and administrative pedigrees, who have the vision and integrity to lead the university for the next five years. The notice lays out the requirements clearly: candidates must possess a good first degree, a master’s degree, and a Ph.D., must have served as a professor for at least nine years, and must be capable of fostering academic excellence and unity in the university community.
But behind this formal language lies a fascinating story — one of history, politics, ambition, and the weight of expectations on whoever succeeds the outgoing Vice-Chancellor.
At Nnamdi Azikiwe University, the Vice-Chancellor is not just a figurehead. The VC is the Chief Executive and Academic Officer, the person who sets the tone for governance, manages finances, steers research priorities, and represents the university in its dealings with government and the public. The office wields enormous influence: decisions about staff promotions, disciplinary cases, curriculum reviews, infrastructure projects, and even student welfare often pass through the VC’s table.
In a federal university like UNIZIK — named after Nigeria’s first president, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe — this influence carries symbolic weight. The VC must not only be an accomplished scholar but must embody Zik’s ideals of leadership, inclusivity, and intellectual freedom. That is why the appointment process attracts so much attention and sometimes controversy.
UNIZIK’s history of Vice-Chancellorship transitions has been anything but dull. The university has witnessed moments of stability, as well as dramatic power struggles, petitions, protests, and even court cases.
The early years after its 1991 transformation from the Anambra State University of Technology (ASUTECH) were about laying the foundation for a robust federal university. The first Vice-Chancellors focused on infrastructure, accreditation, and faculty development. Alumni recall those years as a time of pioneering spirit, when lecturers and students worked under challenging conditions but shared a deep sense of mission.
In the early 2000s, competition for the VC’s office grew fierce. Allegations of favoritism, ethnic balancing politics, and interference by external power brokers became common. Petitions were sent to the National Universities Commission (NUC) alleging irregularities in selection processes. In some cases, litigation delayed the confirmation of new appointments.
The 2015 transition was especially tense. Student groups took to the streets protesting what they saw as political hijack of the process. Flyers circulated calling for a “free and fair VC election,” and the Governing Council had to issue a public statement affirming its commitment to merit-based selection.
The outgoing VC is generally credited with stabilizing management-union relations, delivering significant projects such as the new Faculty of Engineering complex, and lifting UNIZIK’s position in academic rankings. Yet critics argue that unresolved staff promotion issues and student welfare concerns still cast shadows on the administration’s legacy.
The announcement specifies that candidates must have held the rank of professor for at least nine years, possess excellent academic credentials, and demonstrate proven ability in leadership and management. Beyond formal qualifications, the next VC must have vision, integrity, transparency, and the skill to manage conflicts — qualities that will be essential for navigating the challenges ahead.
Every VC transition brings out multiple stakeholders with different expectations. The Governing Council must balance federal government directives, academic staff interests, and local political considerations. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-UNIZIK) will expect the new VC to respect agreements and avoid anti-labour policies. Students want improved hostels, stable academic calendars, and fair fees. Local community leaders prefer someone who will maintain a cordial relationship with host communities and advance campus development.
A 400-level Law student, Chinwe, summed up student concerns:
“We just want someone who will make UNIZIK better for students. Our hostels are overcrowded, water supply is a problem, and strike disruptions make us spend six years for a four-year course. The new VC must prioritize students.”
Dr. Obiora, a senior lecturer in Political Science, emphasized consensus-building:
“A VC must be a consensus builder. We don’t want a repeat of the hostility that sometimes occurs between management and ASUU. Whoever emerges must have the maturity to engage with unions constructively.”
Community leader Chief Ugochukwu Nwafor added:
“UNIZIK is Awka’s pride. We expect the next VC to maintain good relations with the host community and continue developing the permanent site.”
The incoming Vice-Chancellor will inherit a university facing multiple challenges: insufficient infrastructure to match a growing student population, financial pressures due to shrinking government allocations, delicate labour relations, the need to improve global rankings, and pressing student welfare issues such as hostel shortages and security concerns.
VC appointments across Nigeria are often politically charged because the office controls significant resources and shapes institutional direction. There have been accusations of council bias and government interference in many universities. The University of Lagos VC crisis in 2020 is still fresh in public memory, where the President had to intervene to resolve a rift between the Governing Council and Senate.
UNIZIK has so far managed to keep most disputes internal, but the 2025 appointment process will test its institutional maturity and the federal government’s respect for university autonomy.
Education experts recommend that the next VC prioritize research and innovation, strengthen alumni networks, adopt digital administrative tools, and expand global collaborations. These steps would not only improve UNIZIK’s reputation but also ensure students are better prepared for a competitive global economy.
The declaration of vacancy has set the stage for a critical leadership transition. Whoever emerges as the new Vice-Chancellor will have the responsibility of consolidating past gains, addressing lingering grievances, and charting a path for the next decade. The appointment is not merely about filling a position; it is about setting the direction for an institution that bears the name of one of Nigeria’s founding fathers.
The coming weeks will reveal the shortlist, the interviews, and finally, the council’s choice. For now, the UNIZIK community watches with cautious optimism, hoping for a leader who will live up to the ideals of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and take the university to greater heights.
