Former presidential aide, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has come under criticism for insisting that the appointment of vice-chancellors in federal universities should not be reserved for indigenes of the states where such institutions are located.
Obono-Obla had argued that the process should be open to all qualified Nigerians, citing examples of universities where vice-chancellors were appointed from outside the host state.
His comments came amid heightened tension over the impending exit of the University of Calabar Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, whose five-year tenure ends this month. The race for her successor has reportedly grown fierce, with many of the contenders drawn from Cross River State.
Since the university’s establishment over five decades ago, most vice-chancellors have been indigenes of the state. However, the current agitation is that the position should this time go to the southern senatorial district, which last held it about 15 years ago.
The succession process, expected to produce a new vice-chancellor by December 1, 2025, has been stalled by a court injunction secured by one of the candidates, challenging the requirement that contestants must have at least 10 years of post-professorial experience.
Defending his stance, Obono-Obla cited precedents across the country, noting that the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Owerri, Prof. Nnenna Oji, hails from Ebonyi State, not Imo where the school is located.
He also recalled that Prof. Chinedum Nebo from Enugu once served as Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, and that the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Gilbert Onuaguluchi, was also from Enugu State.
“These instances,” he said, “show that the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in federal universities is not tied to senatorial or state origin but based on merit and qualification.”
But some Cross Riverians have faulted his position, arguing that fairness demands that the South should produce the next Unical Vice-Chancellor.
One social media user, Mr. Tempest Nyong, wrote: “The VC must come from Cross River South this time around. We have the leadership acumen and managerial skills. No amount of intrigues or power play will deny us that position.”
Another commentator, Duke-Akabom Eyo-Nsa, accused Obono-Obla of being inconsistent on zoning matters.
“He opposed ‘Back to South’ during the 2023 governorship debate, claiming any district could produce a governor,” he said. “Now that it’s about Unical, he’s again opposing the South. Why is he always against our interest?”
