…..Alleges bias, breach of law
While he clarified that he held no personal animosity toward Arinze-Umobi, he insisted her appointment was legally and procedurally flawed.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – A senior professor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Au. Nkemdili Nnonyelu, has formally petitioned the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution, raising serious objections over the recent appointment of Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi as Acting Vice-Chancellor.
In a letter dated May 17, 2025, Prof. Nnonyelu said he was “shocked and dismayed,” at what he called a flawed and biased selection process, accusing the Pro-Chancellor of manipulating the process to favour a predetermined candidate.
The controversy follows the decision of the current Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, to step aside to remain eligible for the substantive position.
In response to the directive from the Pro-Chancellor dated May 12,, the Senate of the university convened a meeting on May 15 to recommend a replacement. According to Nnonyelu, the Senate unanimously adopted transparent and inclusive criteria and conducted an election, where he emerged the clear winner with 132 votes, ahead of Prof. Arinze-Umobi who secured 79 votes.
Despite this, Prof. Arinze-Umobi was appointed by the Governing Council in a process that Nnonyelu alleges lacked transparency. He claimed that he was not invited to the Council’s interview process and only learned of the appointment through unofficial channels. He described the selection as “a cocktail of impunity” and likened it to previous controversial episodes in the university’s leadership history.
Nnonyelu further argued that the appointment violated both university statutes and federal guidelines. Citing Section 5(14) of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Act, he noted that an Acting Vice-Chancellor cannot hold office for more than six months. He stated that Prof. Arinze-Umobi had already served in that capacity for four months in 2024, thus making her ineligible for reappointment.
He also referenced the Federal Ministry of Education’s guidelines, which disqualify candidates above the age of 64 from holding the office of Vice-Chancellor. Arinze-Umobi is reportedly above this age threshold.
Nnonyelu, who has served the university since 1989 and held multiple administrative roles, emphasized his qualifications and institutional memory. While he clarified that he held no personal animosity toward Arinze-Umobi, he insisted her appointment was legally and procedurally flawed.
“I do not intend to go to court,” the letter concluded. “Let the right thing be done and allow my overwhelming Senate selection to stand.”
The Governing Council and the Federal Ministry of Education have yet to publicly respond to the allegations.