By Ovat Abeng
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) Branch, Igbariam, Anambra State has call for urgent appointment of substantive Vice Chancellor of the Institution.
The Union made the call during its Congress, held at the University’s auditorium on Friday, 16th May 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. Members cited similar crises in other universities in the South-East where delayed appointments of a substantive Vice-Chancellor has 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.
They lamented that the COOU congress is coming after years of internal crisis and prolonged dormancy via the national body’s intervention.
It was also gathered that during the meeting, the congress acknowledged the commendable infrastructural interventions by the Anambra State Government under the leadership of governor 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).
In his briefing, the ASUU-COOU Chairman, Comrade Ibekilo Bruno provided an update on ASUU activities at the branch, zonal, and national levels.
The Chairman expressed concern that the “Solution Footprint” has yet to directly impact staff welfare. The union pointed out that while infrastructure is very important, the wellbeing of the staff has 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.
According to him, 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 harmonisation committee was also established to collate and prepare all reports for presentation to the University Governing Council and the governor.
“One other most critical issues raised at the congress was also 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, therefore, we plead with the Anambra State Government to appoint a substantive Vice Chancellor,” the chairman stressed.