Reps committee summons education minister, stakeholders over Imo VC controversy
The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has invited the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, over the dissolution of certain university councils in the country.
The resolution, reached during a committee meeting in Abuja, also extends the invitation to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, along with the heads of other relevant government agencies in the education sector.
The meeting was convened to address a petition against the suspended Vice-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Prof. Stella Lemchi.
The petition was submitted by a group known as the Concerned Interviewed Professors for the Post of Vice-Chancellor, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education (AIFUE), Owerri.
Signed by Prof. Kingsley Ikebudu and Prof. Joshua Umeifekwem, the petition alleged that Lemchi was neither qualified to act as Vice-Chancellor nor to be appointed as the substantive Vice-Chancellor.
The petitioners argued that Lemchi had never been a staff member of Imo State University (IMSU) and that “she falsely claims to hold a professorship in a discipline that does not exist at IMSU.
However, IMSU’s Registrar, Dr Julius Ozuagwu, dismissed the petitioners’ allegations, stating that Lemchi was duly appointed as a Reader/Associate Professor at IMSU.
He explained that her promotion to the rank of professor followed due process and met NUC criteria for academic staff promotions.
Ozuagwu further clarified that Lemchi was on secondment and was permitted to complete her tenure as Provost of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri.
In his ruling, the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa), stated that all relevant stakeholders would be invited to respond to the petition.
Fulata explained that stakeholders would also address issues related to the frequent dissolution of university councils and the dismissal of some vice-chancellors.
He stressed the need for job security for all university personnel, including council members and vice-chancellors, underscoring the importance of engaging relevant stakeholders in the discussions.
