“Attendance Will Be Duly Noted”: UNIZIK VC Bernard Odoh Mandates Staff to Attend First Meeting Amid Leadership Controversy

Bernard Odoh, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), has mandated all staff members to attend his first interactive meeting with the university community. This directive was conveyed in an internal memo addressed to Deans, Directors, and Heads of Departments, issued under reference number NAU/VC/380/VOL.VI/251 and signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Public Relations, Dr. Emmanuel C. Ojukwu.

The meeting is scheduled for today at 1:00 PM, with the memo emphasizing that attendance will be recorded. The directive comes at a time when Odoh’s appointment is under scrutiny, with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at NAU advising its members to boycott any engagements with him until legal challenges surrounding his position are resolved. ASUU Chairperson Kingsley Ubaoji has specifically urged members not to attend the meeting.

Concerns about Odoh’s appointment escalated following a court ruling that barred him from holding the Vice-Chancellor position and a subsequent declaration from the Ministry of Education nullifying his appointment. The Federal Ministry of Education asserted that the recent appointment process lacked proper consultation with key stakeholders, a violation of established protocols.

Despite the pushback, Odoh remains resolute about his position. In the memo, he addressed reports of individuals attempting to dissuade staff from participating in the meeting, describing them as “shadowy” figures. The memo states, “It has come to the notice of the University authorities that some individuals have been trying to dissuade staff from attending the scheduled interactive session with the new Vice-Chancellor.”

Odoh’s appointment was confirmed by the university’s Governing Council on October 29 after a competitive selection process involving interviews with 15 candidates. However, the Ministry of Education’s letter dated November 1 highlights that no appointments should proceed without reconciling with aggrieved parties within the university community.

In a statement, Odoh’s Personal Media Assistant, Charles Otu, asserted that the Ministry of Education lacks the legal authority to invalidate his appointment, reinforcing Odoh’s determination to lead the institution.