With 6 'Vice Chancellors' in one Year: Any hope for UNIZIK in 2025?

 

By Okechukwu Onuegbu

The Federal Ministry of Education, on Saturday, approved appointment of Professor Carol Chinyelugo Arinze-Umobi as Acting Vice Chancellor (VC), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Arinze-Umobi's appointment takes effect on May 19, 2025,  ahead of May 20th when the tenure of Professor Joseph Ikechebelu would expectedly be terminated. 

Arinze-Umobi's second coming makes it 4 times the citadel of learning is producing an 'Acting' Vice Chancellor and 2 times of having a 'Vice Chancellor' between June 2024 and June 2025. The tenure of Professor Charles Esimone as 6th substantive VC of UNIZIK ended on June 4, 2024 thereby creating a room for eminent scholars and professors to aspire for that exalted position.

Esimone's exit made the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Professor Joseph Ikechebelu to step in as 'first' Acting VC. But on July 22, 2024, barely 49 days in office, the former governing Council of the institution led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe reportedly said that he never acted in that capacity while announcing appointment of Professor Arinze-Umobi as Acting Vice Chancellor. 

However, on October 29, 2024 Arinze-Umobi was replaced following appointment of Professor Bernard Odoh as a 'substantive Vice Chancellor.' In order words, her 'first coming' as Acting VC came to an end at about 97 days (three months and a few days) after producing "7th substantive" VC.

But the federal government quickly rejected Odoh's emergence as a substantive VC, removed him after 22 days reign, dissolved Mbadiwe's led governing Council and "reinstated" or "appointed" Professor Joseph Ikechebelu on November 20th, 2024. Arinze-Umobi is taken over from him again in Acting capacity as usual. She is actually the first woman to occupy that number seat in UNIZIK. Would she handover to Ikechebelu this year as a substantive VC?

As Ikechebelu exits from office in Acting capacity on May 19/20, is alleged that he would likely return elected as "7th Substantive VC" on or before six months when the election would be conducted. He has the capacity and other necessary qualifications if the relevant authorities find him worthy. In fact, many see him as the new VC in waiting. 

Another thing that may work for him is his alleged good working relationship with Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of President Bola Tinubu, including the current Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate. Also in March 2025, he was quoted to have named Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Tinubu as among those selected to be bestowed with a Honourary Doctorate Degree at recently concluded 2023/2024 academic session convocation, which he (Seyi) later failed to attend.

Could that be why his tenure as Acting VC failed to produce a substantive VC within 6 months; a feat Professor Arinze-Umobi's tenure achieved in 3 months plus? Was it actually because of the new NUC guidelines that barred or prevent someone in Acting capacity from transforming to a substantive VC concurrently? 

Nevertheless, there is hope in the new appointment or reapportionment of Professor Carol Chinyelugo Arinze-Umobi as Acting VC of the prestigious Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Arinze-Umobi is a go-getter. A statement signed by the Director, Press & Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, confirmed that hope and trust because it described her emergence as a reflection of adherence to statutory governance procedures.

"The ministry expresses confidence in Professor Arinze-Umobi’s ability to provide stable and result-oriented leadership during this transitional period. The Ministry expresses its satisfaction that the selection process was conducted in line with due process, as provided under Section 5(13) of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2003—through nomination by the University Senate and subsequent approval by the Governing Council.

"In her capacity as Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Arinze-Umobi is expected to oversee the day-to-day administration of the university, coordinate academic and administrative activities, and ensure the effective functioning of the institution. 

"Her appointment, in line with Section 5(14) of the Act, shall not exceed six months or until a substantive Vice-Chancellor is appointed, whichever comes first. The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to upholding transparency, university autonomy, and merit-based leadership across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions," the statement added.

 Time shall tell.