Anambra Varsity Staff Urge Soludo to Name New VC

Staff members of Anambra State-owned Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) have called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to announce the substantive Vice-Chancellor (VC) for the institution, marking the conclusion of the selection process.

The appeal was made in a press statement issued in Awka on Wednesday, where the staff commended Soludo for upholding due process and praised the University Council for its thorough efforts.

The statement, jointly signed by Prof. Peter Okonkwo, Prof. Stephen Unachukwu, and Prof. Mbanefo Odum on behalf of their colleagues, noted that the search and selection committees had completed their tasks and submitted their recommendations to the governor.

They urged Soludo to act on the report before him, emphasizing that this was the first time in the university’s 25-year history that the VC selection process had been transparent and credible.

Reports indicate that the joint selection committee’s recommendation was submitted to the governor on Friday, August 1.

The academics stated that the governor, following legal and procedural guidelines, had directed the University’s Governing Council, led by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, to ensure strict compliance with due process.

The statement read in part:

“Credit must be given to the Visitor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who, with an in-depth understanding of the University system, declined to predetermine a preferred outcome.”

“Equal commendation is due to the seven-member Joint Council Senate Selection and Appointment Committee, which conducted a seamless process that was unanimously endorsed by all members without dispute.”

*“The Joint Council/Senate Selection Committee, having completed their assignment and submitted to the visitor, it is expected that the visitor should, in line with Ordinance 11 (4d), appoint the candidate who placed first.”*

The staff noted that the VC position was advertised in newspapers on January 2, with statutory qualifications for candidates—both internal and external—clearly outlined under the COOU Law (2014).

They highlighted that the Governing Council adhered to the rule of law and due process, urging Soludo to fulfil his promise—made during the university’s convocation—to announce the VC upon receiving the results.

The statement further clarified that the Council complied with legal provisions requiring the joint selection committee to recommend three candidates in order of merit.

“The Council shall consider the list so submitted, determine its order of merit following the provisions of the University’s governing documents, and recommend to the Visitor for appointment the candidate placed first in its merit ranking.”

“The Council shall also forward the names of the candidates placed second and third, together with a reasoned justification for its determined order of merit,” the statement concluded.