By Our Correspondent
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Anambra State, has called on the Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo to urgently appoint a substantive Vice-Chancellor for the institution.
This demand was made during the union’s congress held at the university’s auditorium on May 16, 2025.
The union warned that the absence of a substantive Vice-Chancellor is creating a leadership vacuum that threatens the peace and stability of the university, citing similar crises in other South-East universities where delays in appointing a substantive VC have led to confusion and rivalry.
ASUU also expressed concerns over prolonged acting tenures in key positions, contradicting existing university regulations.
In a unanimous resolution, the congress urged the University Governing Council and the Visitor( Soludo) to conclude the appointment process urgently and in compliance with COOU’s governing laws.
The union lamented the internal crisis and prolonged dormancy that the university had faced, which was only resolved through national body intervention.
In a positive note, ASUU commended the Anambra State Government under Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for various infrastructural interventions, including restoring electricity to the Uli campus, providing power to the teaching hospital, and revamping the power substation at Igbariam.
Other initiatives praised included road construction, fibre optic installation, and support for medical laboratory science projects.
However, the union expressed concern that while infrastructure is vital, staff welfare has not received similar attention. Issues such as wage awards, earned academic allowances, pensions, and health insurance remain unresolved.
To address these challenges, the congress established several committees with clear terms of reference and deadlines.
ASUU Chairman Comrade Bruno stressed the need for a substantive Vice-Chancellor, noting that the university has operated under acting leadership since Prof. Greg Nwakoby’s exit in December 2023.
The union pleaded with the Anambra State Government to expedite the appointment process.
