NSUKKA — In the coming days, the Governing Council of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), under the leadership of accomplished technocrat Engr. K.O. Ojo, will make a pivotal decision — the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor. This comes after 14 tumultuous months marked by leadership instability, with three acting Vice Chancellors navigating a landscape of administrative drift and systemic stagnation.
Once a beacon of academic excellence, the University of Nigeria has in recent times experienced a disheartening decline. The sense of urgency is palpable — from its global alumni network to local stakeholders — all deeply concerned that this distinguished institution, envisioned by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as a legacy of national pride, is battling existential distress.
A Crucial Selection Process Amid Tense Undercurrents
What makes this moment particularly delicate is not just the need to appoint a capable leader, but to do so amid swelling external pressures and growing politicisation. From traditional rulers to local government players, attempts to influence the process are reportedly intensifying — a development that has alarmed academics and stakeholders alike.
According to university statutes, the process begins with the Senate electing two of its members — individuals who are not part of the Governing Council — to serve on the Joint Council-Senate Selection Board. These individuals must be distinguished not only by their academic qualifications but by their character: ethical, incorruptible, and wholly committed to the university’s interest.
The task before the Senate is therefore profound. It must rise above internal divisions and external manipulations to select professors who are:
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Impartial in evaluation, unswayed by political or financial incentives.
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Known for integrity, with no history of distorting university rules for personal or factional advantage.
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Fearless in the face of influence, committed to academic merit and institutional integrity.
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Consistently objective, both in staff assessments and student evaluations.
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Custodians of truth, who will not bend under pressure from any quarter.
Only through such principled representation can the selection board thoroughly and fairly evaluate the curriculum vitae of shortlisted candidates — and, through meaningful interaction, recommend the most qualified individuals to the Council.
The Role of the Governing Council: Beyond Business as Usual
Engr. K.O. Ojo, Nigeria’s youngest Pro-Chancellor, faces perhaps the most defining moment of his career. His mandate is not merely administrative; it is restorative. The Council he leads is tasked with safeguarding the university’s future — and doing so requires resisting the tempting entanglements of political patronage and personal gain.
To reestablish credibility and reposition the university globally, the next Vice Chancellor must not only possess the academic credentials befitting the role but also embody the vision of a 21st-century university leader: innovative, accountable, and internationally competitive.
The Ministry’s Watchful Eye — and Its Moral Obligation
In Abuja, the Ministry of Education, led by Dr. Tunji Alausa, has earned accolades for its recent reformist posture. But this appointment at UNN will be a true litmus test for the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, autonomy, and academic merit.
Any perceived interference — or failure to curb undue influence — could undermine both the institution and the Ministry’s credibility. The ripple effects of a compromised selection could extend far beyond Nsukka, destabilising trust in Nigeria’s already-fragile higher education system.
UNN Must Not Be Compromised
The foundational "Yellow Book" — the benchmark used to assess academic promotions at UNN — must not be dishonoured by appointing a Vice Chancellor who cannot personally meet its rigorous standards. To do so would erode the moral authority of the institution, demoralise staff, and cast a long shadow over future appointments and assessments.
As the university community looks ahead to the Selection Board’s meeting on Monday, July 28, 2025, the call is clear: integrity must lead. The time has come for UNN to turn the page from drift to direction, from decay to renewal.
The choices made in the coming days will either restore or further compromise the legacy of Nigeria’s first autonomous university. The eyes of the nation — and indeed the world — are watching.
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