Tansian University constitutes five-man panel to investigate circumstances surrounding Vice-Chancellor Prof. Umeoduagu’s death a day after swearing-in.
Tansian University, a faith based university based in Anambra State has set up a five-man investigative committee to probe the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Carter Nnamdi Dike Umeoduagu.
Umeoduagu died on Saturday last week, after he was sworn in on Friday as the Vice Chancellor of the university. He has for two months been on acting capacity, after the former Vice Chancellor travelled abroad on medical leave.
THISDAY learnt that the position has been embroiled in controversy after the former VC returned and claimed that his tenure which ended on 30 September 2026 had been extended till 2030.
The governing council however swore Umeoduagu in as substantive VC on Friday, but sources said after a brief ceremony to mark the event, he went home, took ill and died on Saturday morning.
In a press release by the university’s Board of Trustees and Management the constitution of the five-man committee is to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
The committee was announced by the Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. E.S.C. Obiorah (SAN), during a board meeting on Monday.
The committee has been given 48 hours to submit its action plan, including recommendations on the university’s involvement in the funeral arrangements and its response to the forthcoming autopsy report.
Obiorah in the release described the late Vice-Chancellor as a “hero and a fine scholar” who fought bravely for the growth and development of the institution.
He, however, raised concerns over possible negligence in the circumstances surrounding the death, saying the autopsy would help establish what actually happened.
“The result of the autopsy will definitely reveal the true cause of his death. The university will erect a memorial in honour of the late academic.
The university said it would support the deceased’s family in its decision to authorise an autopsy to determine the actual cause of death.
Umeoduagu’s death has thrown the university community into mourning, with the Board of Trustees, Governing Council, Management, Senate, staff and students describing it as a profound loss to the institution, his family and the Nigerian academic community.
The university described Umeoduagu as a vibrant and promising scholar who devoted considerable energy to strengthening its academic programmes and institutional standards.
It said his vision extended beyond Tansian University, as he strongly believed in the capacity of Nigerian universities to attain higher academic standards and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Meanwhile, Tansian University has declared a two-week mourning period in honour of the late academic. Academic activities have been postponed, while the university flag will remain at half-mast throughout the mourning period.
The institution also appealed to the public and the media to respect the privacy of the bereaved family and refrain from speculation or the circulation of unverified information concerning the circumstances of the death.
It said: “The impact of Prof. Umeoduagu’s service, academic ideals and commitment to the advancement of education would remain part of the institutional memory of Tansian University.”