Productivity Should be a Prerequisite for a new VC selection – UNIZIK VC

In a candid statement, the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Charles Esimone, has emphasized that not all professors who have achieved the minimum requirement of ten years in their positions are suitable candidates for the role of Vice Chancellor within a university.

Esimone’s comments come in the midst of ongoing discussions at UNIZIK regarding the selection of a new Vice Chancellor, as his own tenure is set to conclude next year.

He explained, “We have laid down procedures for the appointment of Vice Chancellors. A Vice Chancellor must have a certain level of academic excellence. Some professors, since obtaining their professorship, have become inactive academically.

If you are not supervising Ph.D. students and not publishing, why are you seeking the position of Vice Chancellor? Simply manage the responsibilities that the university has given to you and step aside. Clearly, individuals who cannot meet these criteria are not suitable for the role of Vice Chancellor.”

In addition to the minimum duration of professorship and academic performance, Esimone pointed out that every other professor holds the potential to become a Vice Chancellor, provided they meet the required criteria.

He clarified, “I know that a professor who has not been a professor for at least ten years cannot succeed me. We are also aware that there are professors who have significant academic deficiencies.”

Addressing his commitment to elevating UNIZIK’s global standing, Esimone stated that the institution’s journey towards becoming one of the top 200 universities worldwide is on track.

He shared, “When I initiated Project 200, the objective was to position UNIZIK among the top 200 universities globally, within the first ten in Sub-Saharan Africa, and as the leading university in Nigeria. That was the mission, vision, and overarching goal.

We anticipated that achieving this goal was feasible within my five-year tenure as Vice Chancellor. As of now, we are making significant progress. We currently rank fourth in Nigeria, 13th in Sub-Saharan Africa, and have improved our global ranking from 4494 to approximately 1200.”

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Professor Charles Esimone’s dedication to academic excellence and his commitment to elevating UNIZIK’s international standing signal a drive to maintain the university’s reputation as a hub for high-quality education and research.