His appointment as the seventh substantive Vice Chancellor was officially announced last Tuesday by Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, the esteemed chairman of the university's governing council, following a comprehensive and rigorous screening process.
On Wednesday evening, Prof. Odoh was formally welcomed into his role during a handover ceremony conducted by the outgoing Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi.
His appointment, however, led to protests on Tuesday, with some individuals from the university community expressing their dissent through placards.
Jack Iyioku, a member of the university community and a legal practitioner based in Anambra, suggested that the protests were driven by individuals dissatisfied with the selection of an Ebonyi State native to lead a federal institution in Anambra.
After the handover, Iyioku urged the community to cease any distractions and instead support the new Vice Chancellor in advancing the university's mission.
Iyioku said: “It is pitiful that everything in our beloved country, Nigeria has become political, and most times wearing the toga of ethnicity and religion.
“Even citadels of learning like the great Nnamdi Azikiwe University has also gone down as one of such institutions where some people sacrifice merit for ethnicity and relationship.
“In a bid to discredit Odoh who hails from Ebonyi State, some people in the university community who may have been bought over, or feeling irked by the fact that he is not from Anambra State went on a protest, carrying placards.
“Those who feel disappointed because Odoh is not their kinsman should rather concern themselves with his pedigree and his ability to deliver, than where he hails from.
“Now that Odoh has fully taken over the leadership of the institution with the handing over ceremony to him by the outgoing Acting VC, Prof Carol Arinze-Umobi, we need to cooperate with him to move the university forward,” Iyioku appealed