Protest Erupts at UNIZIK Over Appointment of New Vice-Chancellor

The ongoing leadership crisis at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, has taken a dramatic turn, with the institution's Senate members staging protests to demand the dissolution of the newly appointed Governing Council. The council, led by Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, has been accused of exacerbating the turmoil surrounding the selection of a new Vice-Chancellor.

The unrest began during a Senate meeting on Wednesday, initially convened to elect representatives for the search committee for a new Vice-Chancellor and an interview panel for the registrar position. The session, however, ended in disarray as placard-carrying members called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene by dissolving the current Governing Council in order to restore peace on campus.

The students have also threatened to escalate the situation if their demands are not met, raising concerns over possible unrest in the institution. The crisis follows the departure of former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, on June 4. Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu initially assumed the role of Acting Vice-Chancellor before being replaced by Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, who was appointed by the Governing Council to serve in an acting capacity for six months. This development has further fueled discontent among Senate members.

A Senate member, speaking anonymously, described the meeting as "heated," stating that the atmosphere remained tense with no resolution in sight. "Politicians want to kill the education system in Nigeria. Everybody wants to nominate who will become the Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, but we are saying 'NO,'" the source said.

The member added, "Our President has to do our bidding by dissolving this current Governing Council or closing this institution. The students are warming up to cause mayhem, and we’re not ready to calm them down until things are done the right way."

Efforts to persuade the Pro-Chancellor, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, to reconsider his stance have reportedly been unsuccessful. However, another Senate member defended Mbadiwe, insisting that he had not acted improperly and attributing the calls for dissolution to resistance against his attempts to reform the university’s processes.

"They’re upset with Amb. Mbadiwe because he wants to reform the old ways of doing things, which is why they’re blaming politicians. I don’t believe politicians are involved in this power struggle at UNIZIK," the source noted.

The Senate members unanimously criticized the eligibility criteria set for the Vice-Chancellor position, particularly the requirement for candidates to have secured a grant of N400 million for the university. They have vowed to resist the current Governing Council and called for the extension of Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi's tenure as Acting Vice-Chancellor until a new council is constituted.

As tensions continue to rise, the university community remains on edge, with the potential for further protests if the demands of the Senate and students are not addressed promptly.