Imo Professors Protest Over Alvan Ikoku VC Appointment Under Anambra’s Joy Emodi-led Governing Council
Education
By Our correspondent
A group of professors has petitioned the Minister of Education, alleging irregularities in the appointment of Dr. Stella Ngozi Lemchi as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education (AIFUE), Owerri.
The petition, signed by Professors Kingsley O. Ikebudu and Joshua E. Umeifekwem, claims that Dr. Lemchi’s appointment was flawed due to her questionable qualifications and the Governing Council’s alleged bias.
According to the petition, Dr. Lemchi was not qualified to act as Acting Vice-Chancellor in the first place, and her subsequent appointment as substantive Vice-Chancellor was therefore invalid.
The professors also allege that Dr. Lemchi obtained her first professorship from Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, despite never having been a staff member of the university ¹.
The petitioners state that the Governing Council led by Senator Joy Emodi promoted Dr. Lemchi to the rank of professor, along with 14 other chief lecturers, contrary to the guidelines of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
This promotion, they claim, was irregular and unjustified, adding that Dr. Lemchi now holds two professorships, one from IMSU and one from AIFUE, both of which were announced in the same year, 2024.
The professors express concern about the manner in which Dr. Lemchi was appointed substantive Vice-Chancellor.
They draw parallels between Dr. Lemchi’s appointment and a similar incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, where a non-qualified person was installed as Vice-Chancellor and later sacked along with the Governing Council.
They claim that the Governing Council did not provide a level playing ground for all contestants, and that Dr. Lemchi’s appointment as Acting Vice-Chancellor gave her an unfair advantage over other candidates.
The petitioners urge the Education Minister to investigate the matter and take necessary action, including nullifying Dr. Lemchi’s appointment and dissolving the Governing Council Board.
Copies of the petition were sent to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Abuja, and the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Abuja.
