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A crisis is brewing at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, following an alleged move to impose a new Vice-Chancellor on the institution in violation of established procedures.
Daily Sun gathered that members of the university’s Governing Council had accused the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Engr. Dr. Tony Nebo, of unilaterally attempting to appoint a new vice-chancellor before the end of this year, contrary to earlier decision by the council to defer the exercise until January 2026.
It was further learnt that some council members alleged that the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, is backing the move to influence the choice of a new vice-chancellor.
Nebo was alleged to have sent a message to council members, yesterday, insisting that the selection process must be concluded before Christmas.
“As the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, I am informing us that our scheduled council meeting to conclude the selection of a new Vice-Chancellor for AE-FUNAI will be concluded before Christmas of 2025,” the message read. “Anything contrary to this arrangement should be ignored.”
However, Daily Sun gathered that several council members argued that the tenure of the current Vice-Chancellor would expire on February 10, 2026, suggesting that there is enough time to complete the selection of a new vice-chancellor in January.
A council member, who pleaded anonymity, said the chairman lacked the power to unilaterally select a new vice-chancellor.
“Mr. Chairman, the law provides that for a schedule of meetings of the council, at least five members must be in agreement. You cannot take a unilateral decision,” the member said.
“Please stop embarrassing us. The overall opinion is that it should be in January. Again, it looks like you want to disadvantage contestants from other states.”
Another council member, Hon. Chisom Dorcas Obih, described the chairman’s action as authoritarian.
“Sir, with all due respect to your office, this is a dictatorship as it stands,” she wrote. “Chairman does not mean you have the right to take decisions without considering other council members. I reject your decision to rush the selection process for the appointment of a new substantive Vice-Chancellor for AE-FUNAI.”
Others warned that the move could undermine the credibility of the council and destabilise the university.
“The governing council is not a one-man show,” another member wrote. “The Act establishing the university makes reference to the council in the selection of the VC, not the chairman alone. By your actions, it seems you have a hidden agenda.”
“It is not right to sacrifice the peace of the council because of preferred candidates. You are trying to escalate the situation so that you can achieve your plans,” another member warned. Others expressed logistical and financial concerns, including the high cost of chartered flights during the festive season, as additional reasons to postpone the meeting.
However, Nebo, in a message to the council members to justify his actions, said security and logistical issues prompted consultations with the Minister of Education and the Ebonyi State governor.
He said the Minister of Education had expressed concern over delays in appointing a new vice-chancellor and facilitated discussions with the governor to address security and transportation challenges.
“The governor assured us that he would provide security for us in Abakaliki,” Nebo said, adding that the governor also promised to assist with transportation arrangements.
Despite the explanations, opposition persisted within the council. Tensions escalated further when the chairman reportedly informed members that an aircraft had been arranged to fly them to Ebonyi State from Abuja, early in the morning, a move some viewed as an attempt to force compliance.
Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised about the composition of the Vice-Chancellor Selection Committee, which is chaired by Nebo himself. Other members include representatives of the university senate, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the registrar, drawn from different states.
The Selection Committee of the AI-FUNAI next Vice Chancellor are as follows: Engr. Dr Tony Nebo (Chairman & Pro-Chancellor, Council) Udi- Enugu State. Prof. Okey Abonyi (Rep of Senate) Nsukka – Enugu State, Prof Ezenni Udu (Rep of Senate) Edda – Ebonyi State, Barrister Amina Gwar – (Member of Council) Niger State, Mr. Isobo Jack – (Member of Council) Rivers State, Mr. Charlie Olumide Owolabi (FME Rep in Council), and Barrister Ifeanyi Igwe (Registrar/ Secretary to Council), Imo.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Ebonyi State Government nor the Federal Ministry of Education had issued an official response to the allegations.
