Professor Bernard Odoh, the recently dismissed Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) in Awka, Anambra State, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the manner of his removal, claiming it bypassed proper due process.
Odoh’s comments follow his ousting and the dissolution of the university’s governing council over what the Federal Government deemed an “illegal” appointment.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, the Federal Government intervened to address rising tensions following the council’s alleged failure to follow due process in appointing Odoh as vice-chancellor.
The statement further stated that the council had appointed an unqualified candidate without adhering to the university’s established selection procedures, prompting the government to step in and mediate between the university’s Senate and its governing council.
The Federal Government raised concerns about the council’s disregard for university laws in its appointment process.
However, in an interview with Arise TV, Odoh firmly rejected the legitimacy of his removal through a press release, asserting that his dismissal should only occur after an independent inquiry, not through media announcements.
“I am not disobeying the President, but the governing council should be the one to recommend my removal following a thorough investigation,” Odoh stated, suggesting that President Tinubu may have been ill-advised.
He further emphasised that the council, appointed by the President, had followed proper procedures in appointing him and should be responsible for any decision regarding his termination.
Odoh also addressed accusations concerning the legitimacy of his professorship, which had become a point of contention.
He dismissed the allegations as false, stating that his academic credentials had been verified by the Sokoto State High Court.
He accused individuals of attempting to tamper with his records to discredit him, adding that the former vice-chancellor who appointed him still serves as a professor at NAU and had written his reference letter.
Additionally, Odoh criticized the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for prematurely acting on his dismissal despite four pending lawsuits in which the Ministry is a defendant.
READ ALSO: Tinubu dissolves UNIZIK Governing Council, removes VC, registrar
He argued that these matters were still before the courts and no ruling had been made, calling into question the legal foundation for the minister’s actions.
Odoh suggested that his removal was influenced by regional bias, claiming that as a native of Ebonyi State, he was unfairly targeted due to his origins.
“I’m from Ebonyi State. People think I’m not qualified because of where I come from,” he said, expressing frustration that personal and regional politics were playing a role in his dismissal.
Despite the controversy, Odoh stated that he would continue to visit the university to ensure that academic activities and accreditations were properly managed.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had previously accused the governing council of bypassing due process in Odoh’s appointment and had called for the dissolution of the council, citing illegality in their actions.
 in Awka, Anambra State, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the manner of his removal, claiming it bypassed proper due process.){kind=link}