Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK) has reinstated Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu as the acting vice-chancellor with immediate effect.
The university’s director of information and public relations Njelita Louis announced this in a statement on Thursday.
The decision follows President Bola Tinubu’s nullification of Prof. Bernard Odoh’s appointment as the seventh substantive vice-chancellor. Odoh has however insisted that he remains vice-chancellor.
The statement also disclosed that Victor Modebelu has been appointed acting registrar after the nullification of Rosemary Nwokike’s appointment as substantive registrar for being illegal.
Both reinstatements were detailed in correspondence from the Federal Ministry of Education dated November 20, 2024, and signed by permanent secretary Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo.
The statement read: “This is to inform the Nnamdi Azikiwe University community and the general public that, in accordance with the directives of the Honourable Minister of Education and the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Prof. Joseph I. Ikechebelu has been reinstated as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, with immediate effect.
“This decision follows the nullification of the appointment of Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor, which was deemed illegally executed by the now-dissolved 10th Governing Council of the university.
“The reinstatement of Prof. Ikechebelu is outlined in the Federal Ministry of Education correspondence, Ref: FME/HE/CU/82°/1/308, dated 20th November 2024, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo.”
According to the statement, Prof. Ikechebelu has been instructed to immediately assume full administrative responsibilities for the institution.
Matters requiring governing council approval will now be directed to the minister of education until Tinubu forms a new council.
