The Federal Ministry of Education has officially nullified the appointment of Prof Bernard Odoh as substantive Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
Prof Odoh was on Tuesday last week appointed as Vice-Chancellor by the Amb. Greg Mbadiwe-led governing council in controversial circumstances that elicited protest from some stakeholders of the university.
But a memo from the ministry has nullified the appointment.
The letter signed by R. A. Ilyasu for the permanent secretary of the ministry also nullified the recent appointment of a registrar for the institution.
The letter read: “RE APPOINTMENT OF SUBSTANTIVE VICE CHANCELLOR AND REGISTRAR FOR NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY AWKA.
“Sequel to your meeting with the Honourable Minister of State for Education (MSE) held on Friday, 25” October 2024, it was formally agreed that no appointments should be carried out by your Council without reconciling with the stakeholders 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, 29” 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 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 Honorable Minster of Education. Please accept the assurances of the esteemed regards and considerations of the Permanent Secretary Education,” the letter read.
