Unizik VC Row: Withdraw Court Cases Now, Pro-Chancellor Warns ASUU

The Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has issued a directive, on behalf of the Governing Council, ordering staff members who have filed lawsuits against the university to withdraw them .

This directive, contained in an internal memo dated November 11, 2024, and referenced NAU/REG/958/Vol.VII/44, demands that staff members withdraw such lawsuits within seven days.

The memo, titled “Directive to withdraw legal action against the university,” was addressed to “All Concerned Staff” and copied to key university officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Bursar, Librarian, Deans and HODs.

The directive comes amidst controversy surrounding the appointment of Vice Chancellor Benard Odoh , with some staff members and associations alleging that Odoh’s selection did not follow due process and that he is yet to attain professorship.

In response, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Unizik Chapter, and the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria have filed lawsuits against the governing council, Odoh, and the university .

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However, the university’s Governing Council has defended Odoh’s appointment, stating that it followed all necessary procedures .

The Office of the Vice-Chancellor has also dismissed a letter from the Federal Ministry of Education claiming to have annulled Odoh’s appointment, citing that the ministry lacks the legal authority to make such decisions.

According to Charles Otu, Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice-Chancellor, the university’s actions conform to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act and the institution’s standing orders.

The university has urged staff members to comply with the Pro-Chancellor’s directive and withdraw their matters in court, warning that failure to do so will be considered defiance against the Council’s authority.

In reaction to the development, a senior ASUU official confirmed the Pro-chancellor’s warning directive and stated, ‘The Pro-Chancellor fails to understand that he is dealing with intellectuals.”