… Calls for Urgent Appointment of Substantive VC
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
After years of internal crisis and prolonged dormancy, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) Chapter, has bounced back to life with renewed energy and purpose.
The turning point came after the National ASUU body intervened, sending a reconciliation team to calm tensions and restore unity within the branch. This led to the conduct of the long-awaited election held on 18th February, 2025, which produced Comrade Bruno Ibekilo as Chairman, alongside other executive members.
Under this new leadership, the union, according to a source, revealed that it held its first congress on Friday, 16th May 2025, marking a fresh chapter for ASUU-COOU. The congress, as gathered, focused on key issues affecting the university community, especially matters related to staff welfare, institutional stability, and governance.
In his briefing, Comrade Bruno provided an update on ASUU activities at the branch, zonal, and national levels.
‘During the meeting, it was gathered through a source that Congress acknowledged the commendable infrastructural interventions by the Anambra State Government under the leadership of the Visitor to the University, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
‘These include efforts towards the restoration of electricity to the Uli Campus after prolonged periods of darkness, power supply to the teaching hospital at the Awka Campus, and the revamp of the power sub-station at Igbariam.
Other initiatives commended by the union include the impending flag-off of road construction within the Uli Campus, installation of fibre optic cables for free Wi-Fi at Uli and Igbariam Campuses, the near-completed trauma centre at the University Teaching Hospital, remodelling of university gates at Awka and Uli, and the planned construction of student hostels at the Uli Campus.
‘Financially, the union recognised the ₦100 million support for the establishment of the Medical Laboratory Science and Health Sciences project, and the ₦300 million intervention for programme upgrades and infrastructure which contributed to the university’s recent full accreditation of major programmes – including Medicine and Nursing – by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
‘However, despite these visible achievements, ASUU-COOU expressed concern that the “Solution Footprint” had yet to directly impact staff welfare. The union pointed out that while infrastructure was very important, the well-being of the staff had not received similar attention. Issues such as the 25% and 35% wage awards, new minimum wage, earned academic allowances (EAA), pensions, retirement benefits, appraisal challenges, health insurance, and National Housing Fund contributions remain unresolved.
‘To tackle these challenges, several committees were set up during the congress with clear terms of reference and deadlines. These include the Minimum Wage and Salary-Related Committee, Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) Committee, and Appraisal Review Committee. A harmonization committee was also established to collate and prepare all reports for presentation to the University Governing Council and the Visitor.
It was further gathered that one of the most critical issues raised at the congress was the prolonged delay in appointing a substantive Vice-Chancellor. Since the exit of Prof. Greg Nwakoby, in December 2023, the University has operated under acting leadership.
‘The union expressed concerns that despite a public advertisement on 2nd January, 2025, declaring the position of the Vice-Chancellor vacant, the process of appointing a substantive Vice-Chancellor has stalled more than five months later.
‘The congress warned that the absence of a substantive Vice-Chancellor is creating a leadership vacuum that threatens the peace and stability of the University. Members cited similar crises in other universities in the South-East, where delayed appointments of a substantive Vice-Chancellor have led to confusion and rivalry in these institutions.
‘The union also raised concerns about prolonged acting tenures in other key positions, including the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Acting Bursar, and Acting University Librarian, a situation that contradicts obtainable University Regulations.
‘In a decisive move, the congress unanimously passed a motion to formally communicate its resolution on the Vice-Chancellor issue to the University Governing Council and the Visitor (a renowned academic). The union insisted that the ongoing appointment/selection process should be concluded urgently and in full compliance with COOU’s governing laws.
‘There were also unease over reports that a committee set up by the institution’s Governing Council to oversee the Senate in nominating and electing representatives to the Joint Council-Senate Selection Committee was inconsistent with the COOU statutes.
The union stressed that such interference is a dangerous precedent that could plunge the University into fresh turmoil. It therefore called on both the University Senate and Council to carry out their roles independently, without bias, and in strict observance of due process.
‘As COOU prepares to mark its 25th anniversary and host a combined convocation, ASUU-COOU stressed that the time to act is now. The union maintained that only responsible leadership and urgent decisions can secure the future of the institution and maintain trust among staff and students alike,’ a source concluded.
