This announcement was made in a press release issued by Njelita Louis, the Director of Information and Public Relations/Protocol Officer of the university, on Thursday.
Louis clarified that this action was taken following the annulment of Prof. Bernard Odoh’s appointment as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor, which was ruled as unlawful.
He further stated that Prof. Ikechebelu is to take on full administrative duties for the university without delay.
In addition, Mr. Victor Modebelu has been appointed as the Acting Registrar, succeeding Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike, whose appointment as the substantive Registrar has also been annulled.
The statement noted: “This is to inform the Nnamdi Azikiwe University community and the general public that, in accordance with the directives of the Honourable Minister of Education and the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Prof. Joseph I. Ikechebelu has been reinstated as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, with immediate effect.
“This decision follows the nullification of the appointment of Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor, which was deemed illegally executed by the now-dissolved 10th Governing Council of the university.”
The reinstatement of Professor Ikechebelu is detailed in the correspondence from the Federal Ministry of Education, reference number FME/HE/CU/82°/1/308, dated November 20, 2024, and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo.
Additionally, it has been communicated that Ikechebelu is to take on complete administrative responsibilities, with any issues needing the governing council's approval to be directed to the Minister of Education until a new council is established by President Tinubu.
Furthermore, the Honourable Minister of Education has sanctioned the reinstatement of Mr. Victor Ikechukwu Modebelu as Acting Registrar, following the annulment of Barr. Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike’s appointment as the substantive registrar. Similar to the Vice-Chancellor's situation, Nwokike’s appointment was ruled invalid by the dissolved 10th Governing Council.
The university community is encouraged to extend their full support and cooperation to the reinstated Acting Vice-Chancellor and Acting Registrar as they guide the institution in achieving its academic and administrative objectives.