Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) has appointed Professor Bernard Odoh as its 7th Vice-Chancellor. His selection follows a competitive interview process held on Tuesday, in which he stood out among 18 candidates.
The announcement was made by the university’s Governing Council, led by Pro-Chancellor Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe. He emphasized Odoh’s impressive credentials and contributions to academia.
Ambassador Mbadiwe presented the appointment letter, stating that it is in accordance with Section 4 of the First Schedule, Nnamdi Azikiwe Act CAP 139, LFN 2004, along with the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2007. Odoh will serve a five-year term starting today.
In his acceptance speech, Professor Odoh expressed his gratitude to the Governing Council and reaffirmed his commitment to serving the university. “I’m the first alumnus of this institution to take on this role, having obtained all my degrees here. I am dedicated to addressing our challenges and welcome scrutiny of my performance,” he said.
Professor Odoh, an expert in Applied Geophysics, was born on August 5, 1975, in Ezza North, Ebonyi State. He became a professor at the Federal University, Gusau, in 2015 and previously served as the Secretary to the State Government of Ebonyi State before returning to UNIZIK in 2019.
A member of several professional bodies, including the Society of Exploration Geophysics and the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, Odoh boasts a remarkable record with over 120 research publications in reputable journals and contributions to various academic books.
His leadership roles at UNIZIK include serving on the Senate from 2010 to 2014 and acting as the Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor on Academic Matters. With his extensive experience and commitment, his appointment is expected to enhance the university’s mission of academic excellence.
