Setting the Records Straight: Debunking the False Alarm Over UNIZIK's Governing Council and Director Appointments

By Christian Nwobodo

A recent publication authored by one Joachim Maduka, Ph.D., and published by Sahara Reporters on July 3, 2025, has sparked fresh concern over the ongoing transition process at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, particularly as it relates to the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor. While constructive criticism is welcome in a democratic and academic setting, what is not acceptable is the propagation of falsehood, selective memory, and deliberate misinformation that seeks to discredit genuine reform efforts within the university system.

Let us be clear: there is no provision in university law that forbids Governing Council members from holding other academic or administrative roles within the university. In fact, historical and legal precedents demonstrate that this practice is not only valid but has been consistently applied across multiple councils and administrations.

Take, for instance, the 7th, 8th, and 9th Governing Councils, each had members who were simultaneously serving as Directors, Coordinators, Registrars, and Deans. Some were appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellors. 

Notable examples include:

1. Prof. M. C. Umenweke served as Director, Centre for Conflict Resolution. He also served as Chief Legal Officer while in Council.

2. Prof. Charles Esimone and Prof. Carol Arinze-Umeobi, before becoming Vice-Chancellor and Acting Vice-Chancellor, were DVCs (Academic and Administration) and were also Council members at the beginning.

3. Prof. Ada Sam Omenyi, Prof. AU Nnoyelu, Prof. Emma Okoye, Prof. Luke Anike, Late Pro. Godson Okafor, Late Dr. Isidienu and many others held positions including Director CEP, Director Chike Okoli, Director Infrastructure and Development, Dean Postgraduate School, and Registrar, all while serving in Council.

4. Even union leaders, including past executives, and the current ASUU NAU Branch Chairman, Prof. Kingsley Uborji, once held directorships under previous administrations.

5. It is on record that the last set of Council members were directors in different Units namely; Prof. Obi Nwosu ( Director, Centre for Counseling and Career Development); Prof. Ezimma Nnabuife (Director, Public-Private Partnership); Prof. Nkechinyere Nwokoye (Director, Centre for Arts, Culture and Humanities); Prof. Lasbery Asomugha (Director Medical Centre); Rev. Fr. Prof. Bonachristus Umeogu (Director, Igbo Village, and Civilization); Prof. Mishack Umenweke (Director, Centre for Early Warning and Chief Legal officer); and Rev. Sam Ufoh (Appointed Acting Registrar at a point).

How then is it suddenly unethical or scandalous for current council members to be Directors? Where were these voices when other Council members served in different directorates in this same system?

Furthermore, the appointments cited in the misleading article are mostly retentions or internal reassignments, not new or transactional placements. For instance:

1. Rev. Fr. Prof. Ken Ikenga Oraegbunam was retained as TETFund Desk Officer / Director.

2. Prof. Tracie Utoh-Ezeajugh continues as Director, Centre for Migration Studies.

3. Engr. Ikechukwu Onwuemena remains Coordinator of Civil Works.

4. Prof. Onyiaorah based on proven expertise, now serves as Director, International Collaborations and Linkages.

5. Prof. PVC Okoye was moved from Director, Public-Private Partnership to UNIZIK Business School, a transition based on merit and institutional needs.

6. Also, Dr. Paul Okolie was already a Director under previous administrations before he was elected into Council. He was first appointed to the Chisco Institute, then moved to the Centre for Sustainable Development, and currently oversees the Pre-Degree Programme.

It is equally important to stress that Directors are not members of the University Management Committee. Their appointments, though significant, do not influence the decisions of the Governing Council, nor do they play a direct role in the VC selection process. Membership in the Council constitutes a part-time engagement, thereby allowing individuals to fulfill their primary responsibilities within the university without undue encumbrance. The claim that Council members are being settled or used as political pawns is not only unfounded but also a disservice, and dishonours the professionalism of these scholars and administrators.  

The smokescreen of controversy is being deliberately orchestrated by beneficiaries of past opaque practices under previous Councils, particularly during the time of Amb. Greg Mbadiwe and some disgruntled union leaders who have been unable to use the labour unions in the university to negotiate contracts and juicy positions for themselves. Some of these union leaders are currently mired in financial misappropriations and are in desperate need to see the university in confusion as a way of evading the call for probes from their members. The real drivers behind these malicious narratives are desperation and fear - fear that the current Pro-Chancellor, Barr. Olugbenga Kukoyi, and the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, are insisting on due process and adhering strictly to Federal Ministry of Education guidelines.

Rather than fabricate conspiracy theories, one would expect self-proclaimed stakeholders to encourage a transparent and level-playing field for the upcoming Vice-Chancellorship process. Unfortunately, some are already laying the groundwork for discrediting the outcome if it does not favour their preferred candidates.

Let it be stated, therefore, that UNIZIK is not in crisis, and there is no secret plot to hijack the Vice-Chancellor selection process. What exists is a desperate attempt by elements uncomfortable with due process to plant seeds of confusion, misinformation, and incitement.

The university community and the public are enjoined to disregard the article as fiction masquerading as investigative journalism. True stakeholders should allow the ongoing process to run its course, in line with the Federal Governments commitment to merit, transparency, and institutional integrity.

Nnamdi Azikiwe University is greater than any individual interest. Let us protect its dignity, not peddle lies.