Dele Ezeoba, chairman of the Governing Council of Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN) and former Chief of Naval Staff, has resigned in protest over the Federal Government’s confirmation of Professor Christopher Ogbogbo as vice chancellor.
ADUN, owned by the Nigerian Navy, had shortlisted five candidates after a screening process led by KPMG. Professor Lucian Chukwu scored the highest, but the council selected Ogbogbo, who ranked second. Ezeoba insisted on merit and reported the matter to the education minister, who halted the process pending review.
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Despite this, ADUN management announced Ogbogbo’s appointment. The education ministry later affirmed the selection, stating due process was followed.
Ezeoba rejected the decision, calling it “illegal.” He stated, “That exercise, whatever they have done, is illegal. Don’t engage with them, please. The Honourable Minister of Education, who is the supervising entity, instructed that the exercise should be halted until further notice.”
In a statement announcing Ogbogbo’s appointment, ADUN’s registrar, Isaac Mankilik, said, “Professor Christopher Ogbogbo emerged as the preferred choice out of the top three candidates nominated by the Joint Selection Board of the institution’s Governing Council.”
The Federal Ministry of Education defended its decision, stating, “Contrary to recent misleading reports, the Ministry later discovered as a fact that due process was meticulously followed in the selection process, culminating in the appointment of Professor Christopher B. N. Ogbogbo as the substantive Vice-Chancellor.”
“Following a thorough review of the selection process, subsequent ministerial intervention, and in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to merit and fairness, the Ministry confirms that Professor Christopher B. N. Ogbogbo is the most eligible candidate for the position,” the statement added.
Unable to reconcile the decision with the council’s evaluation, Ezeoba resigned, reportedly stating he would not be part of a process that undermines due process and transparency.
