The Federal Ministry of Education has announced the reinstatement of Professor Joseph Ikechebelu as the acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU).
The reappointment was conveyed in a letter dated Wednesday and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo.
“Following the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through letter Ref: PRES/84/EDU/10 dated 18th November 2024, nullifying the appointment of Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university, I am pleased to convey the Honourable Minister’s approval for your reinstatement as acting Vice-Chancellor with immediate effect,” the letter stated.
The President had declared Odoh’s appointment illegal, citing irregularities under the now-dissolved 10th Governing Council of the university. Professor Ikechebelu has been directed to oversee the university’s administration and submit any matters requiring council approval to the Minister of Education until a new council is constituted by President Tinubu.
This decision follows the dismissal of Odoh as Vice-Chancellor and Rosemary Nwokike as the university’s substantive Registrar. Victor Modebelu, who previously served in an acting capacity, has also been reinstated as Acting Registrar of the institution, widely known as UNIZIK.
Ikechebelu initially assumed the position of acting Vice-Chancellor in early June but was removed in late July by the former university council. His reinstatement marks a significant administrative shift following the President’s dissolution of the governing council.