The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has appointed a substantive Vice Chancellor, one year after President Bola Tinubu revoked the earlier appointment of Prof. Bernard Odoh as VC of the institution.
Odoh’s selection was cancelled following controversies surrounding the recruitment process and questions raised about his academic credentials.
Both the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, UNIZIK chapter, had described the appointment as irregular, noting that the matter was already before the courts.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Olugbenga Kukoyi, announced Professor Bond Anyaechie as the new Vice Chancellor, stressing that the council followed a credible selection process.
“I am pleased to announce Professor Bond Anyaechie as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University after a thorough and transparent process,” Kukoyi stated.
Anyaechie, a professor of Medical Physiology and Clinical Measurement, has nearly 20 years of teaching experience at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.
He obtained his MBBS from Abia State University, Uturu, in 1998, earned a master’s degree in 2004, completed his PhD in 2009, and received a Master of Public Health in 2011.
His academic career began at the College of Medicine, Imo State University, in 2002 as a part-time lecturer before becoming a full-time academic.
He joined the University of Nigeria in 2007, rose to the rank of Reader, and was promoted to Professor of Physiology and Clinical Measurement in 2013.
Between 2018 and 2022, he served as Deputy Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria.
He was also Acting Provost of the College of Medicine, Imo State University, and later served as a visiting professor on a pro bono basis from 2020 to 2022.
