Former minister of budget and national planning, Udoma Udo Udoma has been appointed pro-chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University.
Udoma, a former senator and lawyer is a key player in Nigeria’s corporate sector having held the chairmanship position of many blue-chip companies.
Governor Udom Emmanuel approved the appointment in a statement signed by Emmanuel Ekuwem, secretary to the state government.
Udoma takes over from Samuel Inyang, who according to the statement has ‘stepped aside’ from his post.
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No reason was given for Inyang’s decision to ‘step aside’ but findings reveal that this may not be unconnected with plans by the Governor to appoint a new vice-chancellor from a particular senatorial district of the state
Udoma hails from Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District and with Inyang’s departure, observers believe the new vice-chancellor is likely to come from Akwa Ibom northwest Senatorial district.
The tenure of the current Vice-Chancellor of the University, Eno Ibanga ended in April but he was reappointed in acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor.
Ibanga was among the 8 nominees recently cleared by the state assembly for appointment as a member of the state executive council.
The Governor has come under pressure from powerful interest groups to appoint the new vice-chancellor of the state university from a particular senatorial district of the state.
