EXCLUSIVE! UNIZIK On Fire Again Over Flawed Selection of Acting Vice-Chancellor
…As Calls For Removal of Pro-Chancellor Mount
THECONSCIENCE NG has uncovered that crisis is already brewing again inside the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, over the controversial selection of an Acting Vice-Chancellor.
The recent appointment of Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi as the Acting Vice-Chancellor for the second time, allegedly orchestrated by Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, has ignited widespread discontent among faculty, students, and stakeholders in the University community.
This decision, made in blatant disregard of extant laws and the university’s internal governance protocols, threatens to destabilise the institution and undermine its reputation as a citadel of learning.
The appointment comes despite the fact that Professor Nkemdili Nnonyelu, a highly qualified candidate and Professor of Industrial Sociology and Workplace Relations, was duly voted and nominated by the university Senate. The Senate’s overwhelming support for Nnonyelu, who received 132 votes compared to Arinze-Umobi’s distant second with just 79 votes, underscores the frustration felt by many within the university community. Ignoring the democratic process and established guidelines in favour of a preferred candidate raises serious questions about the integrity of the selection process.
Public affairs analyst and education consultant Chief Chidi Okoye has voiced strong concerns, urging the Minister of Education to intervene and call the Pro-Chancellor to order. “Deliberately ignoring qualified candidates to favour an unqualified individual can set a university on fire and hinder it from growing,” he warned. Okoye’s remarks highlight the urgent need for the Federal Government to constitute a full Governing Council to restore credibility and order to the university’s leadership processes.
The controversy escalates further when examining the criteria set forth for the Acting Vice-Chancellor position. Documents indicate that the Pro-Chancellor’s criteria included an age limit of 65 years, a stipulation that contradicts existing regulations which disqualify candidates above 64 years for the Vice-Chancellor role. This raises red flags about the motivations behind such a stipulation, particularly when it appears to favour Arinze-Umobi, who falls outside the legal boundaries.
The Pro-Chancellor’s unilateral actions have been met with outrage. The regulations for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in Nigerian universities clearly state that a candidate must not exceed 64 years of age. The introduction of an age requirement that contradicts this regulation, along with a stipulation for female candidates, casts suspicion on the fairness of the process. It seems as though the entire university community was sidelined to ensure that a preferred candidate emerged, leaving several qualified former Deputy Vice-Chancellors under the age limit unconsidered.
The failure to adhere to the provisions outlined in the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 1979 (amended 2003 and 2012) is evident. These provisions mandate that the Council appoint an Acting Vice-Chancellor based on the Senate’s recommendations. However, the Pro-Chancellor’s actions have sidestepped these legal requirements, causing concern among faculty members about the integrity of the governing processes at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
In a letter addressed to the Pro-Chancellor, Professor Nkemdili Nnonyelu articulates her dismay at the handling of the selection process. Titled “APPOINTMENT OF AN ACTING VICE-CHANCELLOR: SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT,” Nnonyelu’s letter highlights significant flaws in the appointment of Arinze-Umobi and calls for accountability. She reminds the Pro-Chancellor that the appointment of an Acting Vice-Chancellor cannot be extended or renewed under any circumstances, citing Section 5(14) of the Universities (Amendment) Act of 1993.
Nnonyelu’s letter underscores two fundamental issues regarding the legality of Arinze-Umobi’s appointment. Firstly, having served as Acting Vice-Chancellor less than a year prior, her renewed appointment violates established laws prohibiting such a role from being held for more than six months. Secondly, the letter stresses the principle of public service that disqualifies individuals from acting in a position if they do not meet the qualifications for the substantive role.
The appointment of Professor Arinze-Umobi, therefore, not only disregards university regulations but also undermines the integrity of the entire institution. Nnonyelu’s account describes a process tainted by perceived bias, where the Pro-Chancellor’s preferences overshadowed the democratic will of the Senate. “Your bias and preferences for the person just appointed were so glaring,” she writes, revealing the troubling nature of the selection criteria that excluded other qualified candidates from consideration.
As tensions mount, there is a growing call for the Pro-Chancellor to be held accountable for his actions. The implications of this flawed appointment extend beyond mere university politics; they threaten to damage the reputation and future of Nnamdi Azikiwe University. “To not correct this obvious anomaly will send very wrong signals and put our university on the path of perdition,” warns Nnonyelu, calling for an urgent reversal of the decision.
The Minister of Education’s recent intervention in the selection process at Admiralty University Ibusa, where the governing council was instructed to adopt the “Doctrine of Merit,” serves as a pertinent example of the necessary corrective measures that could be applied at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. It is imperative that the Federal Government extends similar oversight to ensure that meritocracy prevails and that the voices of the university community are respected.
In conclusion, the appointment of Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi as Acting Vice-Chancellor raises serious concerns about governance, transparency, and the rule of law within Nnamdi Azikiwe University. The overwhelming support for Professor Nkemdili Nnonyelu by the Senate exemplifies the desire for a leadership that reflects the values of integrity and excellence. As the university community rallies for justice, it is crucial for the Pro-Chancellor and the governing council to recognise the gravity of their actions and to act in accordance with the law. The path forward must prioritise the collective interests of the university, fostering an environment that respects merit and upholds the principles of good governance. Only then can Nnamdi Azikiwe University return to its rightful place as a beacon of knowledge and learning in Nigeria.
