AKWA IBOM: CONTROVERSY TRAILS APPOINTMENT OF ODEWUMI, RETIRED PROF AS UNIUYO ACTING VC

By Bassey BASSEY 

Fresh controversy has emerged over the appointment of Professor Samuel Gbadebo Odewumi as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of University of Uyo over allegations that the Chairman of the Governing Council acted outside the provisions of the law by recommending a retired professor from Lagos State University (LASU) for the position without following due process.

 Odewumi's appointment

Odewumi, a Professor of Transport Planning and Policy, Lagos State University (LASU), was appointer VC via letter dated December, 25, 2025, and signed by the Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mrs Blossom E. Okorie.

The letter stated, in part: “Further to the approval of the Visitor to the University, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as communicated by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, I write on behalf of the Chairman of the Governing Council of the University to convey your appointment as the Acting Vice-Chancellor, University of Uyo, Nigeria.

“The appointment takes effect immediately and shall remain in force pending the completion of the process for the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor

 Process of Appointment of new VC almost concluded

Investigations revealed that the process for appointing a substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo had substantially been concluded, with only the interview stage outstanding.

It was learnt that the Vice-Chancellorship position was advertised for six weeks, applications were received, and a Screening Committee constituted for the exercise met and submitted its report to the Chairman of the Governing Council, who reportedly acknowledged receipt.

However, despite the process reaching its final stage, the interview of shortlisted candidates—ordinarily a one-day exercise chaired by the Council Chairman—has not been conducted.

Instead, attention reportedly shifted to the appointment of an Acting Vice-Chancellor, raising questions about compliance with the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, which provides that in the event of a vacancy, the Governing Council shall appoint an Acting Vice-Chancellor on the recommendation of the University Senate.

Sources within the university disclosed that the Senate had on three different occasions made recommendations regarding the Acting Vice-Chancellorship, but these were allegedly not honoured by the Council Chairman.

More troubling, according to sources familiar with the matter, is information that the Council Chairman allegedly wrote to the Minister of Education on December 1, recommending a retired professor from LASU for appointment as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo.

 Stakeholders react

Stakeholders have Observed that appointing a retired academic from another university as Acting Vice-Chancellor raises serious legal and ethical questions, particularly as the law and long-standing university practice envisage that an acting appointment should be drawn from serving senior officers of the institution.

Legal analysts point out that an acting position, by its very nature, is meant to be a temporary internal arrangement to ensure administrative continuity, not an avenue for external or retired appointments.

The alleged recommendation has also raised concerns about whether the Presidency and the Visitor to the University were fully briefed on the circumstances surrounding the appointment, given the apparent departure from established procedures.

 More criticisms

Critics argue that bypassing the Senate, delaying the substantive Vice-Chancellor interview, and nominating a retired external candidate amount to procedural violations capable of undermining university autonomy and institutional governance. 

They further contend that completing the substantive Vice-Chancellor appointment would have permanently resolved the leadership vacuum, rather than prolonging uncertainty through an acting arrangement whose legality is now being questioned.

However, many stakeholders hsve callef on the Federal Ministry of Education and the Visitor to the University to urgently review the process and ensure strict compliance with the law.

 Council chairman's reaction

Attempts to get official clarification from the Chairman of the Governing Council on the alleged procedural breaches were unsuccessful.

 THE BEAGLE NEWS