THE Federal Ministry of Education has announced the reinstatement of Professor Joseph Ikechebelu as the acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU).
The announcement was made in a letter issued yesterday by Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education.
“Following the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, via letter Ref: PRES/84/EDU/10 dated 18th November 2024, which nullified the appointment of Prof. Benard Ifeanyi Odoh as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university—an appointment deemed illegal by the dissolved 10th Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka—I am pleased to convey the Honourable Minister’s approval to reinstate you as the acting Vice-Chancellor of the university with immediate effect,” the letter stated.
The letter further directed Ikechebelu to oversee the administration of the university and forward any matters requiring council approval to the minister until a new council is constituted by the president.
This development follows President Bola Tinubu’s dismissal of Bernard Odoh as the university’s seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor yesterday.
Ikechebelu, who was originally appointed to the position in early June, was removed in late July by the then-Governing Council.
Additionally, the government reinstated Victor Modebelu as the Acting Registrar of the university, popularly known as UNIZIK.
His reinstatement followed the sack of Rosemary Nwokike, the institution’s substantive registrar, whose removal was also ordered by President Tinubu yesterday.
