Some students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, have called on the Federal Government to implement the judgment of the National Industrial Court, which ordered the reinstatement of Prof. Bernard Odoh as the Vice-Chancellor of the institution.
Recall that the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, led by its Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Greg Mbadiwe, on October 29, 2024, reportedly appointed Prof. Benard Odoh as the seventh substantive Vice Chancellor of the institution, after screening and interviewing no fewer than 18 other applicants.
However, on November 20, 2024, President Bola Tinubu, also reportedly dissolved the Governing Council of the University and removed its newly-appointed Vice-Chancellor, Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs Rosemary Nwokike.
The Presidency announced the sacking of the governing council and the removal of Odoh as the VC in a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, titled ‘President Tinubu sacks Nnamdi Azikiwe University Council, VC and Registrar.’
The sacking of the governing council followed reports that the council illegally appointed an “unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process”, adding that Odoh was not a full Professor.
Following this development, Odoh approached an Industrial Court in Abuja, where the court reaffirmed his academic status as a “Professor” against the allegations by some elements in the UNIZIK and Federal University of Gusau that he is not a full professor.
The court awarded a cost of N5million against the FG to be paid to Odoh, as well as apology to him by the university on national news platforms.
While addressing journalists in Awka on Monday in reaction to the court ruling, the President, Nigerian Students and Youth Association, UNIZIK chapter, Chisom Nwangwu, urged the Minister of Education, Dr Morufu Alausa, to act without further delay in reinstating Odoh, in compliance with the court’s ruling.
Nwangwu, flanked by other students, said Odoh was removed from office by the Federal Ministry of Education following allegations by some of his opponents that he was not a professor and was therefore unqualified to occupy the position.
He said, “Now that the court has since affirmed that Odoh was duly promoted to the rank of Professor in 2015 and consequently ordered that all his rights, entitlements, and privileges be fully restored, students are urging the Federal Government to reinstate him as the vice chancellor of the university.
“Respect for court judgments is fundamental to nation-building and must not be treated as optional. Nigerians must learn to obey court orders if the country is to build a society firmly rooted in the rule of law.
“The continued failure to implement the court’s ruling, particularly in a situation where the office of the Vice-Chancellor was never vacant in any legal or practical sense, sets a dangerous precedent.
“This persistent disregard for a valid court order undermines democratic values and sends the wrong signal to citizens. Such actions should not be allowed to define us as a people or as a democratic society.”
Nwangwu also noted that Odoh is the first alumnus of Nnamdi Azikiwe University to be appointed Vice-Chancellor, describing his removal as regrettable and driven by malicious claims intended to frustrate a young academic with a clear and progressive vision for the overall development of the university.
The students further appealed to President Bola Tinubu, pointing out that his administration is founded on the principles of justice, fairness, and respect for the rule of law.
They urged the President to intervene and ensure full compliance with the court’s judgment.
According to the students, such an intervention would reaffirm public confidence in democratic institutions and reassure young Nigerians that justice, fairness, and equality before the law remain attainable in Nigeria.
Punchng
