Lecturers at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, under the aegis of the Concerned Lecturers of UNIZIK, led by Professor Anthony Chukwudi Okoye, have petitioned the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, over what they described as derailment of the process of appointment of a Vice Chancellor at the school.
Seeking the intervention of the Minister, the lecturers also alleged flagrant disobedience to court orders by the University’s management and Governing Council which, according to them, constitutes a direct assault on the rule of law.
They warned that this situation is already threatening to plunge the institution into a damaging governance crisis.
Recall that controversy trailed Professor Odoh’s appointment as the seventh substantive Vice Chancellor on 29 October 2024.
During this period, some individuals within the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU, had alleged Odoh was not yet a Full Professor at the time of his selection as the VC.
Acting on those allegations, the Federal Ministry of Education had directed the dissolution of the Governing Council which led to Odoh’s removal from office.
Following his removal, the Governing Council of the institution appointed a PhD holder, Professor Ikechebelu, as Acting Vice Chancellor.
But Professor Odoh approached the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division, asserting that he was duly assessed and promoted to full Professor with effect from 1 October 2015 by the Governing Council of the Federal University of Gusau.
As the matter progressed under active litigation and a subsisting consent judgment on the lawful procedure for filling such an office, and despite multiple orders of the Court duly served upon the University, the management and Governing Council initiated recruitment processes to fill an office, which the aggrieved lecturers said was clearly not vacant.
The concerned lecturers described the university’s conduct as a conscious provocation and escalation of conflict with the rule of law.
Last Monday, the National Industrial Court, while finally determining the matter, in a detailed ruling delivered by Hon Justice E D Subilim, held that Professor Odoh was validly appointed, properly evaluated by a panel of three professors and lawfully promoted to the rank of Full Professor ten years ago.
Further, the court averred that Odoh’s appointment renders every allegation of ineligibility legally groundless and consequently ordered full restoration of his statutory rights, privileges and entitlements as Vice Chancellor, even as it directed the Federal University of Gusau to issue him a written apology to be published in a national newspaper.
The Court also awarded N5 million in damages for the unlawful interference with his lawful entitlements.
Referencing the Suit Number NICN/Awk/51/2025, which challenged the unlawful advertisements of 13 and 16 September 2025 and Suit Number NICN/Awk/61/2025, which sought punitive consequences for the alleged willful disobedience of court orders, the petitioners urged the Minister to intervene.
In their petition titled “Urgent Appeal to Uphold Due Process in the Appointment of Vice Chancellor and Save Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka from Looming Crisis” the Concerned Lecturers called for immediate governmental intervention to halt what they described as a creeping institutional breakdown.
Part of the petition read:“Despite these multiple pending litigations and subsisting court orders, the University’s Governing Council proceeded to fix Tuesday 11 November 2025 for the Senate selection, interview and appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor.
“This action, in clear defiance of judicial authority, undermines the rule of law and exposes the University to the risk of future nullification of the appointment, which would inevitably plunge the institution into a prolonged and avoidable crisis.
“Honourable Minister, the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is firmly anchored on respect for the rule of law and due process. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, as a federal institution established by statute, must exemplify these principles.
The lecturers urged the Minister to direct the Governing Council to halt the ongoing illegal appointment process and enforce strict obedience to the Court order reinstating Professor Odoh, stressing that in law, judgments remain binding until set aside.
Citing the foundational jurisprudence of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which holds that “Court orders are not made in vain; they are made to be obeyed,” in the case of Attorney General of Lagos State versus Attorney General of the Federation 2003, the petitioners insisted that illegality should not be condoned.
UNIZIK VC Saga: Lecturers seek FG intervention
UNIZIK VC Saga: Lecturers seek FG intervention
