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A civil society organisation, Concerned Stakeholders for Educational Integrity (CSEI), has urged the Governing Council of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, to ensure that merit and global best practices guide the ongoing process for selecting the institution’s next Vice-Chancellor.
This call came shortly after the close of submissions by candidates vying for the office.
CSEI stressed that AE-FUNAI requires a world-class academic leader with broad-based experience, exceptional vision, proven competence and impeccable character to position the university as a leading institution in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.
“The choice of the next Vice-Chancellor should reflect excellence, not expediency,” the statement read.
“This is a critical opportunity to appoint a leader, who embodies international standards in scholarship and administration.”
The group’s coordinator, Dr. Agbochukwu Ifediba, reiterated that the university’s future depends on strong, visionary and globally minded leadership.
“AE-FUNAI has made remarkable progress in the last decade and this momentum must not be lost,” he said.
“The next Vice-Chancellor must be a transformational leader, someone with international exposure, academic distinction and the ability to build national and global partnerships that will drive research, innovation and institutional growth.”
CSEI also cautioned against political interference or parochial interests, insisting that only a transparent, merit-driven process can sustain the university’s rising reputation as a centre of academic excellence.
The group urged all stakeholders, including staff, students, alumni and the host community, to support the emergence of a leader capable of advancing AE-FUNAI’s aspiration to become a globally competitive institution of higher learning.
According to the statement, the era of filling such high-level positions based on quota or sectional considerations was over. Such practices, the group argued, undermine competence, weaken institutional progress and stifle the discovery of the best talents.
CSEI maintained that the Governing Council, being the custodian of the university’s norms and a bastion of integrity, is expected at this critical stage to prioritise character, competence, broad administrative experience within and beyond AE-FUNAI and a strong track record of university-wide service.
The group emphasised that university administration is a complex responsibility reserved for individuals with proven academic excellence, impeccable pedigree and distinguished achievements in various leadership roles, ranging from committee leadership to heading departments, faculties, directorates or even serving in the top ranks of university administration in Nigeria.
They further argued that Nigerian universities urgently need exemplary leadership and AE-FUNAI deserves someone who is deeply knowledgeable, widely experienced and highly resourceful, an administrator who has managed human and material resources, mentored students, demonstrated resilience and earned the trust and respect of the university community.
CSEI noted that flawed leadership recruitment processes have long been a major challenge in Nigeria’s institutions; therefore, getting it right at the university level is crucial to ensuring strong leadership direction and the delivery of high-quality education.
The group encouraged the Governing Council to strictly adhere to its guidelines and resist any external pressure capable of influencing or discrediting the process. It expressed confidence in the integrity of the Governing Council chair and members, noting their impeccable credentials and long-standing reputation for professionalism.
By maintaining a transparent, merit-based process, the statement concluded, the university will be better positioned to pursue the goals outlined in its advertorial, which highlights AE-FUNAI’s philosophy of producing highly skilled, motivated and innovative graduates capable of solving national problems.
