Admiralty University Of Nigeria: Setting The Records Straight On Appointment Of Substantive Vice Chancellor

Ibusa, Delta State – March 4, 2025

In response to a wave of inaccurate and misleading online and tabloid publications, seemingly orchestrated by vested interests seeking to sow discord and pose an impediment as a clog to its wheel of progress, Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN) is compelled to clarify the process and outcome of the recent appointment of its substantive Vice Chancellor.

To ensure transparency and provide accurate information to the public and stakeholders, the University is releasing this statement to address the unfounded allegations and confirm the University Governing Council’s decision to select and appoint Professor Christopher Bankole Ndubisi Ogbogbo as the substantive Vice Chancellor according to laid down rules and procedure of ADUN Law, as officially communicated by the Registrar and Secretary to Council, Commodore Isaac M Mankilik (rtd), PhD, during the Council meeting held on Wednesday, 26th and Friday, 28th February, 2025.

Key Points:
• Legal Compliance. The Council’s decision was made in strict adherence to the portions of the Admiralty University of Nigeria Establishment Act 2022 – First Schedule 4 (1) (h) (2) and 38 quoted as follows:

“(4) Where a vacancy occurs in the post of a Vice Chancellor, the Council shall –
a. Advertise the vacancy in a reputable Journal or widely read newspapers in Nigeria, specifying –
i. The qualities and qualifications of the persons who may apply for the post, and
ii. The terms and conditions of service applicable to the post, and thereafter draw up a short list of suitable candidates for the post for consideration;

b. Constitute a Search Team consisting of-
i. A member of the Council, who is not a member of the Senate, as Chairman,
ii. Two members of the Senate who are not members of the Council, one of whom shall be a Professor, and
iii. Two members of the Congregation who are not members of the Council, one of whom shall be a Professor, to identify and nominate for consideration, suitable persons who are not likely to apply for the post on their own volition but that of the national interest.

(5) A Joint Council and Senate Selection Board shall-
(a) consist of –
i. the Pro Chancellor as Chairman,
ii. two members of the Council not being members of the Senate, and
iii. two members of the Senate not below the rank of Professor, who were not
members of the Search Team, and
iv. a representative of the Chief of the Naval Staff;
(b) consider the candidates and persons shortlisted under subparagraph (ii) or the subparagraph (4) (a) through evaluation of their curriculum vitae and interaction; and
(c) recommend to the Council, suitable candidates from the list for further consideration.

(6) The Council shall select and appoint as Vice-Chancellor a candidate from among the three candidates recommended to it under subparagraph (5) and thereafter inform the Visitor.”

• Selection Process. The Council selected Professor CBN 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. The Act does not require the Council to select the candidate with the highest score from the recommended candidates. The general public is requested to note that the final process in picking a Vice Chancellor is by selection and not based on marks awarded by the Joint Selection Board. For the avoidance of doubt, what is important is the candidate to be selected must be any one of the three recommended by Joint Selection Board.

• Last day of Council meeting. On the last day of the Council meeting on 28th February, 2025, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Rear Admiral MM Abdullahi, a member of Council was nominated as Acting Chairman since the Chairman was absent.

• Transparency. The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Murufu Olatunji Alausa, has approved the declassification of the Council report from the 2nd extraordinary Council meeting for release to the general public.

• Note. It is fundamental to note that the final report was discussed, ratified and indeed adopted by the House before it was signed by 13 out of 15 Council Members.

• Full report. The full report of the Governing Council 2nd Extraordinary meeting, outlining the procedure and decision, is consequently attached to this release.

Thank you

E-signed:
Commodore Isaac M Mankilik (rtd), PhD
Registrar & Secretary to Council.