By Ifeanyi Uwagwu
The Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN) has refuted claims of irregularities in the appointment of its substantive Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Christopher Ogbogbo, insisting that the process was conducted in full compliance with the university’s establishment act.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, ADUN’s Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Commodore Isaac Mankilik (rtd), PhD, clarified that the selection followed due process as outlined in the Admiralty University of Nigeria Establishment Act 2022. He explained that the process involved advertising the vacancy, forming a search committee, and convening a joint selection board comprising members of the Council and Senate.
“The Council selected Professor C.B.N. Ogbogbo from the three candidates recommended by the Joint Selection Board, as mandated by Section 4(1) subsections 5 and 6 of the ADUN Act 2022,” Mankilik stated. He emphasised that the Act does not require the Council to choose the highest-scoring candidate but rather to make a selection based on a broader assessment of merit and suitability.
Addressing concerns over the Council Chairman’s absence on the final day of deliberations, 28 February 2025, the statement confirmed that Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Rear Admiral M.M. Abdullahi was duly nominated as Acting Chairman to oversee proceedings.
It stated that the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Murufu Alausa, approved the declassification of the Council’s report from the 2nd Extraordinary Council Meeting for public release to promote transparency. The statement further highlighted that the final report was discussed, ratified, and adopted by 13 out of 15 Council Members before being signed.
ADUN reassured stakeholders that Professor Ogbogbo’s appointment was carried out in line with legal and institutional guidelines, urging the public to disregard attempts by vested interests to create unnecessary controversy.
Recall that Prof. Ogbogbo’s appointment to the position of Vice-Chancellor was announced on Friday last week.
