UMUDIKE – The media aide to the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, has accused the current leadership of the university of engaging in “cheap blackmail, pettiness, and media trials” over the institution’s 2025/2026 recruitment exercise.
In a press statement issued on July 23, 2026, Chidiamara G. Uzoh, media aide to the former VC, set out to correct what he described as false narratives surrounding the recruitment process, insisting that the exercise was conducted with due process and that the current Vice-Chancellor was actively involved before assuming office.
The statement, titled “MOUAU 2025/2026 Recruitment Exercise: Setting the Records Straight,” noted that the recruitment process began under Prof. Iwe’s administration and remained ongoing until his handover on February 26, 2026.
“To pretend that a process started by one administration cannot be concluded by a succeeding administration is an obvious lack of understanding of how public institutions function. Administration is a continuum,” the statement read.
Background of the Recruitment Exercise
According to the statement, the Federal Government placed an embargo on employment in all universities in 2019, leading to a depleted workforce despite a surging student population. Prof. Iwe’s administration reportedly established nearly 1,000 vacant positions and secured a waiver to employ 426 applicants in Q3 and Q4 of 2025.
The statement said advertisements were placed, shortlists generated, interviews conducted, and physical capture completed before the former VC handed over.
“The list of successful candidates was compiled and submitted in December 2025. Between January and February 2026, Prof. Iwe’s administration made further efforts to address the pressure and interest of critical stakeholders,” the statement added.
Current VC’s Involvement
The statement took issue with claims that the current Vice-Chancellor was not involved in the recruitment exercise.
“Prof. Iwe finds it difficult to believe or accept that a Principal Officer, who served in his administration as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, would deny her role in a major exercise like recruitment,” Uzoh said.
He stated that the current Vice-Chancellor was a member of the panel set up to interview shortlisted candidates, attended the sessions, actively participated, and took part in both Management and Council deliberations on the exercise.
“The documents are there, no matter how hard her illegally appointed media aide, who is clearly ignorant of how a University operates, tries to explain the issue,” the statement added.
Appeal for Fairness
The statement also expressed disappointment that the current administration is commissioning projects completed under Prof. Iwe’s tenure without acknowledging his contributions, while simultaneously attempting to distance itself from the recruitment exercise.
“Prof. Iwe served Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike with a lot of sacrifice, consultation, and transparency, to the best of his ability. He is ready to present his records of service to a Presidential Visitation Panel, whenever it is constituted,” the statement concluded.
Attempts to rewrite history or scapegoat Prof. Iwe will fail, Uzoh said, urging the university leadership to “choose truth over propaganda and service over self-denial.”
