Rita Odafe
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, located in Awka, has announced that Prof. Joseph I. Ikechebelu is reinstated as the Acting Vice-Chancellor, effective immediately.
This information was shared in a statement by Njelita Louis, the Director of Information, Public Relations, and Protocol at the university, on Thursday.
The update follows the recent annulment of Prof. Bernard Odoh’s appointment as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor, which was ruled as unlawful.
As part of this change, Prof. Ikechebelu is expected to take full administrative control of the university right away.
Additionally, Mr. Victor Modebelu has been reinstated as Acting Registrar, succeeding Barr. Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike, whose appointment was also invalidated due to procedural issues.
The announcement emphasized: “This is to update the university community and the public that, based on the direction from the Honourable Minister of Education and the confirmation from His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Prof. Joseph I. Ikechebelu is reinstated as Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, effective immediately.
“This action comes after the annulment of Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh’s appointment, which was considered to be improperly authorized by the now-dissolved 10th Governing Council of the university.
“Prof. Ikechebelu’s reinstatement is documented in a letter from the Federal Ministry of Education (Ref: FME/HE/CU/82°/1/308), dated November 20, 2024, and signed by Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.”
The letter, which outlines this decision, entrusted Prof. Ikechebelu with all administrative duties.
Any matters that require approval from the Governing Council are to be forwarded to the Minister of Education until a new council is formed.
Similarly, Mr. Modebelu’s return as Acting Registrar was approved by the Minister of Education, in light of the cancellation of Nwokike’s appointment, also ruled invalid by the dissolved council.
The university community has been called upon to collaborate with the reinstated Acting Vice-Chancellor and Acting Registrar as they aim to maintain the institution’s academic and administrative goals.
