Bernard Odoh refutes his nullification as Unizik VC
The controversy surrounding Professor Bernard Odoh’s appointment as Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University has taken another turn. Odoh has rejected the Federal Ministry of Education’s nullification of his appointment, citing the university’s autonomy and adherence to constitutional guidelines.
The university’s governing council maintains it followed due process in selecting Odoh as the 7th substantive vice-chancellor. For the latest updates on this developing story, consider checking online news sources.
Prof Bernard Odoh, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), Anambra State, amid the ongoing controversy, has refuted the nullification of his appointment by the Federal Ministry of Education.
Insisting on the validity of his appointment, Odoh in a statement issued by his Personal Media Assistant, Mr Charles Otu, said that the Federal Ministry of Education had no legal power to nullify and void his appointment.
He stressed that his appointment followed constitutionally stipulated due processes and guidelines, and that he would resume office on Tuesday.
GEENCEE reported that the Federal Ministry of Education declared as null and void Odoh’s recent appointment as the UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor.
READ… Prof. Bernard Odoh’s Appointment annulled
The Governing Council of the University recently appointed Odoh as the school’s 7th substantive 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.
Sacked Unizik VC refuses to obey FG’s letter nullifying his appointment
“The institution has rightly stated that all its actions were informed and conforms with the statutory requirements set forth in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act, Cap 139 (as amended), LFN 2004.
“The Registrar who doubles as the Secretary to the Council had replied that the actions of the Council were in total conformity with the provisions of Section 6 (a) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Standing Orders of the Governing Council which stipulates that the quorum requirements which mandates the presence of five members, including at least one of the following: The Vice-Chancellor or his Deputy, one appointee of the Visitor and one appointee of the Senate.”
Otu further stated, “For further clarification, the attention of the general public must be drawn first and foremost to the fact that our extant laws clearly specified the roles of the Governing Council of a tertiary institution vis-a-vis those of the Visitor and the parent’s Ministry of Education.
“In Nigeria, the university governing council plays a unique and critical role in administration and governance of universities.
“It’s a special body that has been legally granted the authority to oversee the university’s operations, including making key decisions about policies, finances, and appointments—such as choosing a vice-chancellor (VC).
“This council is designed to function independently, separate from direct control by outside bodies, including the Federal Ministry of Education.
“Therefore, when the Council reaches a decision, such as appointing a new Vice-Chancellor (VC), (as it has done in the instant case of UNIZIK), it communicates this decision to the Ministry as a form of official notice. This is a requirement for transparency and coordination, not for approval or control.”
He noted, “As a matter of fact, the Nigerian law recognises university councils as autonomous bodies with the right to govern their institutions independently.”
