The Management of Imo State University, Owerri (IMSU), has strongly dismissed an online report suggesting a rift between the institution’s Vice-Chancellor and the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, over the Governor's reported amnesty to over 250 students of the Department of Nursing Science. The university described the report as "misleading, false, and a product of cheap blackmail."
In a statement issued by the Acting Public Relations Officer of the University, Onyekachi Nwaozor, the institution clarified that neither the Vice-Chancellor, Professor U. U. Chukwumaeze, SAN, FCArb, nor the university as a body, had in any way opposed the Governor’s directive. Rather, the university acted in compliance with the Governor's instructions by setting up a high-powered committee to evaluate the students' claims and verify their academic status.
The statement further explained that the group causing unrest and masquerading as IMSU students are, in fact, not students of the university. “Some of them are persons who illegally transferred to departments such as Nursing Science without proper authorisation,” the release noted.
To address the situation, the university, acting on Governor Uzodimma’s directive, inaugurated a committee comprising senior professors from relevant faculties, as well as seasoned administrative officers. The committee’s mandate was to investigate and confirm the academic legitimacy of the individuals involved in the alleged programme change saga, which affected several departments, not just Nursing Science.
According to the university, a verification form was made available free of charge to all concerned individuals from Friday, March 27 to Thursday, April 3, 2025. The candidates were required to submit several documents including their JAMB and IMSU admission letters, signed change-of-course forms, school fee payment receipts, sessional results before and after the attempted change, clearance from Faculty Officers, and a letter of undertaking affirming non-involvement in admission fraud.
“After thorough scrutiny, the committee submitted its report to the Management, listing bonafide students who had undergone proper departmental transfers, as well as those who were advised to revert to their original courses,” the statement revealed. In response, the university postponed examinations for two weeks to allow affected students to reintegrate into their appropriate departments.
The university also clarified that it had, in collaboration with JAMB and its admissions portal, published a list of verified students. Alongside that, a list of individuals found to be parading themselves falsely as IMSU students was also published, warning them to desist from further impersonation.
Describing the report of a rift with the Governor as the handiwork of “enemies of progress,” the university stated that such falsehoods are attempts to tarnish the achievements made under the current administration led by Professor Chukwumaeze.
“This rejoinder is aimed at defending the honour and integrity of the Visitor to the University, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, and the Vice-Chancellor. Imo State University remains committed to academic excellence and institutional integrity and will not be intimidated by desperate elements seeking to undermine the system,” the statement added.
The university has therefore urged the general public to disregard the misleading publication, assuring that the ongoing reforms in the institution are geared towards transparency and academic discipline.
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