By Idris Auwal
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, following controversies surrounding the appointment of Professor Bernard Odoh as the institution’s new Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Odoh was named the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK on October 29, 2024. However, his academic profile and the process leading to his selection have been marred by allegations of irregularities.
Controversial Academic Credentials
Odoh’s official academic profile, published on UNIZIK’s website, claimed he served as a visiting professor at the Federal University Gusau (FUGUS), Zamfara State, from July 2015 to October 2017. However, both FUGUS and the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) denied this claim in written responses to inquiries.
Allegations of Appointment Irregularities
Before Odoh’s appointment, UNIZIK’s ASUU chapter and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) raised concerns about procedural irregularities. They accused the Governing Council of violating due process during the announcement of the vacancy and recruitment process.
Three days after Odoh’s appointment, the Federal Ministry of Education declared the decision invalid. In a memo dated November 1, 2024, the ministry criticized the university’s Governing Council, led by Chairman Greg Mbadiwe, for proceeding with the appointment without consulting ministry representatives, internal council members, and other key stakeholders.
The university’s Registrar and Secretary to Council, R.I. Nwokike, defended the decision, stating that the council acted in accordance with a court ruling granting it full authority to appoint the Vice-Chancellor.
Odoh’s Defense
In his first public response, delivered through his spokesperson Charles Otu, Odoh dismissed the ministry’s nullification of his appointment, asserting that the Ministry of Education lacked the legal authority to invalidate it. He reiterated his academic achievements, stating that he was appointed as a visiting professor at FUGUS in 2014 and promoted to full professor of applied geophysics in 2015.
ASUU Condemns Appointments
On November 18, 2024, ASUU’s national leadership denounced Odoh’s appointment as Vice-Chancellor, as well as the appointment of Rosemary Nwokike as Registrar. ASUU National President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, described the appointments as a violation of university regulations, citing the absence of due advertisement, proper search procedures, and selection criteria.
Tinubu’s Intervention
In a move to address the growing controversy, President Tinubu has reportedly approved the dissolution of UNIZIK’s Governing Council. Sources indicate that Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has received presidential approval to make the announcement, which is expected to be publicized soon.
Uncertain Future for Odoh
With the Governing Council now dissolved, it remains unclear whether Professor Odoh will retain his position as Vice-Chancellor. The decision could set a precedent for addressing procedural lapses and governance issues within Nigeria’s higher education system.