Abia State govt dismisses vice chancellor, key officials at ABSU

The Abia State Government has dismissed Professor Onyemachi Ogbulu from his position as Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu, along with other principal officers of the institution.

Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, announced the changes during a press briefing in Umuahia on Monday, following an Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti. He revealed that Professor Ndukwe Okeudo has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor.

Kanu stated, “Rt. Hon. Agwu U. Agwu is the new Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Catherine Uju Ifejika is the new Chancellor, and Onwubiko Dike is a member of the Governing Council.”

He also noted that there would be new Deputy Vice Chancellors and four Senate members, including two from the congregation, one from Convocation, and one from the Ministry of Education. A new Bursar has also been appointed, with all changes set to take effect on November 1, 2024.

The commissioner explained that these decisions were a result of the visitation panel’s report on ABSU, which was approved for release and publication on October 26, 2024. The panel recommended that the former Vice Chancellor be investigated concerning his “traditional title and Payroll admission,” among other issues.

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According to the White Paper, “The panel also recommended the withdrawal of the M.Phil certificate and the termination of the PhD programme of the former Bursar, Mr. Chucks Chikwendu Nwaogwugwu, due to the irregularities in his admission.”

Earlier, rumors had circulated suggesting that Professor Ogbulu held a traditional title alongside his university position and that he had resigned. However, when approached about the allegations on Sunday, he stated he would refrain from commenting until he received the panel report.

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