Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has announced the immediate reinstatement of Prof. Joseph I. Ikechebelu as its Acting Vice-Chancellor. The university’s Director of Information, Public Relations, and Protocol, Njelita Louis, made the announcement in a statement issued on Thursday.
The reinstatement follows the annulment of Prof. Bernard Odoh’s appointment as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor, which was declared unlawful. Prof. Ikechebelu has been directed to resume full administrative control of the university without delay.
Additionally, Mr. Victor Modebelu has been reinstated as Acting Registrar, replacing Barr. Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike. Nwokike’s appointment as substantive Registrar was also nullified due to irregularities in the process.
The statement reads:
“This is to inform the Nnamdi Azikiwe University community and the general public that, in accordance with the directives of the Honourable Minister of Education and the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Prof. Joseph I. Ikechebelu has been reinstated as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, with immediate effect.
“This decision follows the nullification of the appointment of Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor, which was deemed illegally executed by the now-dissolved 10th Governing Council of the university.”
The statement further referred to a communication from the Federal Ministry of Education, dated November 20, 2024, and signed by Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry. This correspondence instructed Prof. Ikechebelu to assume responsibility for all administrative matters, with any issues requiring Governing Council approval to be directed to the Minister of Education until a new council is established.
Similarly, the reinstatement of Mr. Modebelu as Acting Registrar was endorsed by the Minister of Education following the invalidation of Nwokike’s appointment.
The university community has been urged to extend their support to the reinstated Acting Vice-Chancellor and Acting Registrar as they work to advance the institution’s academic and administrative goals.
