Members of the university’s Governing Council have accused the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Engr. Dr. Tony Nebo, of unilaterally attempting to rush and conclude the Vice-Chancellor selection process before the end of 2025.
A crisis is brewing at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, following allegations of an attempt to impose a new Vice-Chancellor on the institution in violation of established procedures.
Members of the university’s Governing Council have accused the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Engr. Dr. Tony Nebo, of unilaterally attempting to rush and conclude the Vice-Chancellor selection process before the end of 2025.
This is despite an earlier unanimous decision by the council to defer the exercise until January 2026.
The controversy has also drawn in the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, whom some council members allege is backing the move to influence the outcome of the process — an allegation that has heightened concerns over external interference in the affairs of the federal university.
In a message sent to council members on Wednesday and obtained by SaharaReporters, Nebo insisted that the selection process must be concluded before Christmas.
“As the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, I am informing us that our scheduled council meeting to conclude the selection of a new Vice-Chancellor for AE-FUNAI will hold and be concluded before Christmas of 2025,” the message read. “Anything contrary to this arrangement should be ignored.”
The directive immediately triggered sharp reactions from several council members, who noted that the tenure of the current Vice-Chancellor does not expire until February 10, 2026, leaving ample time to complete the process in January.
One council member replied that the chairman lacked the authority to act alone.
“Mr Chairman, the law provides that for a schedule of meetings of the council, at least five members must be in agreement. You cannot take a unilateral decision,” the member said.
“Please stop embarrassing us. The overall opinion is that it should be in January. Again, it looks like you want to disadvantage contestants from other states.”
Another council member, Hon. Chisom Dorcas Obih, described the chairman’s action as authoritarian.
“Sir, with all due respect to your office, this is dictatorship as it stands,” she wrote. “Chairman does not mean you have the right to take decisions without considering other council members. I reject your decision to rush the selection process for the appointment of a new substantive Vice-Chancellor for AE-FUNAI.”
Others warned that the move could undermine the credibility of the council and destabilise the university.
“The governing council is not a one-man show,” another member wrote. “The Act establishing the university makes reference to the council in the selection of the VC, not the chairman alone. By your actions, it seems you have a hidden agenda.”
Another member cautioned: “It is not right to sacrifice the peace of the council because of preferred candidates. You are trying to escalate the situation so that you can achieve your plans.”
Some council members also raised concerns that the alleged involvement of the Ebonyi State governor could cast doubt on the independence of the process.
Egwu Emmanuel Chimezie, a council member, warned that the governor’s role “may not be seen and perceived as devoid of personal interest.”
“We should avoid anything that would make the council seem compromised,” Chimezie said. “This festive period is very tight, but we still have the whole of January to conclude this process.”
Others cited logistical and financial concerns, including the high cost of chartered flights during the festive season, as additional reasons to postpone the meeting.
In a subsequent message titled “To Keep the Records Straight,” Nebo sought to justify his actions, saying security and logistical issues prompted consultations with the Minister of Education and the Ebonyi State governor.
According to him, the Minister of Education had expressed concern over delays in appointing a new Vice-Chancellor and facilitated discussions with the governor to address security and transportation challenges.
“The Governor assured us that he would provide security for us in Abakaliki,” Nebo said, adding that the governor also promised to assist with transportation arrangements.
Despite the explanations, opposition persisted within the council. Tensions escalated further when the chairman reportedly informed members that an aircraft had been arranged to fly them to Ebonyi State from Abuja early in the morning, a move some viewed as an attempt to force compliance.
Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised about the composition of the Vice-Chancellor Selection Committee, which is chaired by Nebo himself. Other members include representatives of the university senate, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the registrar, drawn from different states.
Dissenting council members argue that the current atmosphere of distrust and alleged external pressure could undermine the integrity of the process if it proceeds under disputed conditions.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Ebonyi State Government nor the Federal Ministry of Education had issued an official response to the allegations. However, stakeholders warn that failure to respect due process could trigger a wider institutional crisis at AE-FUNAI, with implications for governance and stability at the university.
Meanwhile, the Selection Committee of the AI-FUNAI next Vice Chancellor are as follows: Engr. Dr Tony Nebo (Chairman & Pro-Chancellor, Council) Udi- Enugu State. Prof. Okey Abonyi (Rep of Senate) Nsukka - Enugu State, Prof Ezenni Udu (Rep of Senate) Edda - Ebonyi State, Barrister Amina Gwar - (Member of Council) Niger State, Mr. Isobo Jack - (Member of Council) Rivers State, Mr. Charlie Olumide Owolabi (FME Rep in Council), and Barrister Ifeanyi Igwe (Registrar/ Secretary to Council), Imo.