By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, has sounded an urgent alarm over what it describes as the growing dictatorial tendencies of the institution’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council.
Speaking on behalf of the Union during a press conference in Awka, the Anambra State capital, the Chairperson of ASUU NAU, Comrade Kingsley Ubaoji, expressed deep concerns about recent actions taken by the Pro-Chancellor, which, he said, the Union fears could plunge the University into an industrial crisis, if not urgently checked.
According to Comrade Ubaoji, since the inauguration of the University’s Council on 4th July 2024, the Pro-Chancellor has persistently ignored due process, acting unilaterally in critical decision-making matters, including appointments and Council activities. These actions, he noted, undermine the principles of collective governance that the university holds dear.
“Since inauguration, the Chairman has consistently disregarded the authority of Council, acting unilaterally and making decisions without proper consultation and approval. This behaviour is not only unacceptable but also undermines the principles of democratic governance and accountability,” Ubaoji said.
He cited Section 2(1) of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2023, which outlines the required composition of the Council, including representatives from the Senate, Congregation, and Convocation.
He, however, regretted that the Pro-Chancellor, without waiting for the full composition, proceeded with major decisions, including appointing an Acting Vice Chancellor and advertising for the position of Registrar.
According to him, ASUU had written several letters to the Pro-Chancellor, calling for the proper constitution of the Council before further actions. He said, despite these efforts, the Pro-Chancellor has continued to act without consultation, even going as far as publishing a vacancy notice for the Vice Chancellor position in a national newspaper, a move that ASUU says was made without due regard for internal University processes.
Continuing, Comrade Ubaoji explained that during the University Senate’s meeting on 16th October 2024, members raised concerns about the selection criteria for the Vice Chancellor role, which they argue appeared to be tailored for an anointed or preselected candidate. He said the Senate, in protest, deferred nominating representatives to the Selection Committee, calling for a review of the criteria.
He said it was clear that the criteria for Vice Chancellor were designed to suit a specific individual, neglecting the broader, widely-accepted qualifications normally required.
Adding to their concerns, Ubaoji stated that the Pro-Chancellor had further ignored the Senate’s authority by handpicking professors to serve on the Interview Panel for the Registrar’s selection, which the Union considers another example of unilateral decision-making.
“It was therefore with greatest shock that we learnt that the Chairman has on his own selected or directed the selection of two Professors to serve on the interview panel for Registrar, calling the bluff of Senate. We were further shocked to learn that without consultations with other members of Council, the Chairman has fixed Wednesday 23 October, 2024 for the selection interview for a Registrar of the University also to favour “anointed candidate”,” the ASUU Chairperson said.
“By continuing to take unilateral actions, ignoring the contributions of others, particularly representatives of the internal constituencies of Senate, Congregation and Convocation or disregarding their views and contributions, the Chairman is undermining the collective decision-making process and disregarding the concern of these Council members and, by extension, the people they represent.
“Already, the Chairman has demonstrated over and over again such disregard and appears bent to continue with these unauthorised actions, ignoring the concerns of ASUU. This has ominous implications for industrial peace on campus. And this is the purpose of this Press Conference, to AVERT CRISIS,” he further warned.
ASUU NAU also raised the alarm about the eligibility criteria published in the vacancy notice for Vice Chancellor, which it describes as restrictive and designed to exclude qualified candidates and favour the anointed candidate. Citing some instances favouritism in the advert, the Union explained that the requirement for a proven record of attracting not less than N400 million in research grants is seen as unreasonable. Ubaoji noted that such a benchmark is arbitrary and likely aimed at favouring the so-called “anointed candidate.”
The Union fears that the Pro-Chancellor’s unchecked actions could lead to a breakdown in institutional stability, the erosion of trust, and damage to the university’s reputation. It further called on the Chief of Staff to the President and the Minister of Education to intervene and rein in the Pro-Chancellor before the situation escalates further or become too late.
“It is essential to ensure that the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Council operates with the bounds of his authority and respects the principle of collective governance and due process,” Ubaoji added.
