By Gabriel Dike
Another crisis is brewing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, over the appointment of an acting vice chancellor without following the due process.
One of the professors, who contested and came first with 132 votes, petitioned the Governing Council for picking a candidate who scored 73.
In a petition by Nkemdilim Nnonyelu, a professor of Industrial Sociology and Workplace Relations & Director, Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy, he rejected the appointment of Prof Carol Arinze-Umobi.
The petition dated May 17 accused the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of UNIZIK, Olugbenga Kukoyi of not complying with the laid down rules and the recent guidelines by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa on appointment of VCs, rectors and provosts.
In his five-page petition, Nnonyelu recalled that on May 12, the council chairman via a letter to the acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, directed him to convene a meeting of the Senate of UNIZIK to recommend persons suitable for appointment as the acting VC.
“Your request for recommendation is in keeping with the statutory requirements of Section 5(13) of the Universities Miscellaneous (Amendment) Act 1993 (amended 2003 and 2012) which provides that in any case of a vacancy in the office of a VC, the council shall appoint an acting VC on recommendation of the Senate.”
The petitioner disclosed that on May 15, the Senate met and he scored the highest votes of 132, Prof. Umobi 72, Prof. Ada Sam Omenyi 63, Prof. Ezinma Nnabuife 22 and Prof. Nkechi Esimonu nine votes. He further revealed that the council chairman called for another selection and he was excluded from the process.
He said: “Sir, with due respect, the way this process has been handled portends dangerous consequences for the future of our university. I had believed that given your background and profile as a lawyer and administrator, you would not only be transparent, but also be seen to be so. To say the least Sir, I am disappointed, for if this is allowed to happen, as it is wont to under your leadership, who knows what this university will become.
“I am truly disturbed. I do believe that if you were in my shoes, and were treated so unjustly and unfairly, you would find it intolerable and resist it with everything you have. For me Sir, it is different, for I do not know, in all honesty, how to fight my battles, I leave them to the Lord. If someone else in this university were so treated, I would be in the vanguard of its correction and restoration. As the Psalmist says, ‘The Lord is near to those who are discouraged. He saves those who have lost all hope.’
“In your letter to the Senate, your bias and preferences for the person just appointed were so glaring, with the weird list of criteria which included: a) head of department, b) deputy VC, c) 10 or more years as professor, d) must be above 65 years, as well as the criterion that says a female must be included. Your set criteria cleverly excluded dean of faculty, provost, director, academic planning and other important, sensitive positions that your preferred choice did not have.
“A case of working from the answer, using the preferred candidate’s CV. These signs are ominous, reminiscent of our recent ugly experiences in the VC-ship saga in our beloved university. Sir, are we not going back to Egypt?
“Pro-Chancellor Sir, your letter curiously ignored the Federal Ministry of Education’s guidelines for appointment of acting VCs, rectors and provosts (2013) or the several guidelines and regulations for the appointment of VCs in Nigeria by the NUC.
“In keeping with its statutory responsibilities, the Senate of UNIZIK on Thursday, May 15, 2025, sat, deliberated extensively on your letter, developed unanimously all inclusive criteria, and proceeded with nominations and elections. In the said election, I had an overwhelming victory with 132 votes, and Prof Umobi came a distant second with 79 votes. The votes showed the clear choice of not only members of the university Senate, but also the university community. I was, therefore, recommended ahead of the other candidates for the council to do the needful, that is, issue me an appointment letter. Surprisingly, and very unfortunately too, there were some other hidden plots.”
Prof. Nnonyelu said with the information he had provided, he expected the council and the
Ministry of Education to act right, in accordance with the law, and in good conscience.
“I do not intend to go to court. Let the right thing be done and allow my overwhelming Senate selection to stand,” he noted.