Fresh Controversy Trails Reappointment of Acting Vice-Chancellor at UNIZIK

A fresh controversy has erupted at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, following the reappointment of Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution.

The decision has drawn criticism from sections of the academic community, with Dr Chukwudi Ojiako, a senior lecturer at the university, publicly urging President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Education to review the appointment.

In a media interaction, Ojiako argued that Prof Umobi’s reappointment contravenes the university’s statutes and the University Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 2003, which, he said, prescribes a single term for both Acting and substantive Vice-Chancellors.

“The University Miscellaneous Act of 2003 provides a clear framework for the tenure of Acting Vice-Chancellors and substantive Vice-Chancellors, and it is essential that the Council adheres to these rules to maintain stability and avoid unnecessary conflicts,” he stated.

He expressed concern that the Chairman of the University Council, a legal practitioner, would endorse what he described as a clear breach of existing regulations.

Prof Umobi previously served as Acting Vice-Chancellor for approximately four months before the appointment of Professor Bernard Odoh as substantive Vice-Chancellor in 2024. Her recent reappointment for another six-month term, Ojiako said, disregards statutory limits and sets a troubling precedent.

The latest leadership dispute comes amid lingering tensions within UNIZIK over administrative transparency and power transitions. The university has witnessed a series of leadership-related disagreements in recent years, particularly surrounding the selection process that culminated in the appointment of Prof. Odoh.

Some critics argue that disregarding established legal and institutional frameworks in the appointment of vice-chancellors undermines the university’s credibility and threatens its academic integrity.

Supporters of Prof Umobi, however, insist that her reappointment is vital to ensure continuity and stability during what they describe as a transitional phase.

As the debate intensifies, members of the university community and education stakeholders are closely monitoring developments, concerned about the broader implications for governance at one of Nigeria’s leading federal universities.

Neither the Federal Ministry of Education nor the university’s Governing Council has issued an official response to the allegations or calls for a reversal of the reappointment.

Meanwhile, uncertainty looms as students and staff await clarity on the institution’s leadership direction.