Prof. Benard Odoh, UNN lecturers demand his reinstatement as VC
Lecturers at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, have petitioned the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to enforce a National Industrial Court judgment reinstating Prof. Benard Odoh as the institution’s duly appointed Vice Chancellor.
Led by Prof. Anthony Okoye, Concerned Lecturers of UNIZIK, the group called on the minister to halt the ongoing appointment process for a new Vice-Chancellor, describing it as illegal and in defiance of the rule of law.
Odoh’s appointment as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor on October 29 2024, was contested by some ASUU members, who claimed he was not yet a full professor.
The Federal Ministry of Education subsequently dissolved the Governing Council, removed Odoh, and appointed Prof. Ikechebelu as Acting Vice-Chancellor. Odoh challenged the action in court, asserting his promotion to full professor in 2015 satisfied all statutory requirements.
Last Monday, the National Industrial Court affirmed Odoh’s valid appointment, ordered his full reinstatement, awarded N5 million in damages for unlawful interference and directed a public apology from the Federal University of Gusau.
The petitioners urged the minister to ensure compliance with the court ruling to prevent a looming governance crisis at UNIZIK.
