The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) has formally requested the National Industrial Court to nullify the recent appointments of the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, citing serious concerns regarding the legality and integrity of the selection process.
In a statement issued today, ASUU expressed alarm over what it describes as a blatant disregard for established university governance procedures by the institution’s Pro-Chancellor, Amb. Greg Mbadiwe. The union alleges that the Pro-Chancellor has acted unilaterally, bypassing necessary institutional protocols and undermining the collective decision-making processes essential for maintaining academic standards.
Comrade Kingsley Ubaoji, Chairperson of ASUU UNIZIK, emphasized that the Pro-Chancellor's actions threaten to compromise the integrity of the university and could lead to significant unrest within the academic community. "We cannot stand idly by while external political forces attempt to subvert due process in our university," Ubaoji stated.
The union's concerns are compounded by allegations that Dr. Benard Ifeanyi Odoh, who has been positioned as a candidate for Vice-Chancellor, does not meet the requisite qualifications as outlined in university regulations. Reports indicate that Dr. Odoh has not held critical administrative roles nor supervised Ph.D. candidates, raising questions about his suitability for such a high-ranking position.
Moreover, ASUU has highlighted that the eligibility criteria published for the Vice-Chancellor position appear to be tailored to favor specific candidates rather than attracting a diverse pool of qualified applicants. This situation has prompted ASUU to take legal action in order to protect the academic integrity of UNIZIK and ensure adherence to established governance frameworks.
In light of these developments, ASUU has called upon relevant authorities, including the Chief of Staff to the President and the Minister of Education, to intervene and restore proper governance at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. The union is resolute in its commitment to uphold academic standards and will continue to advocate for transparency and fairness in all university appointments.