Just five weeks after the inauguration of a new seven-member governing council for Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, the council has instructed Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Asomwan Sonnie Adagbonyin to vacate his position.

The governing council, which was established by Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, was sworn in on July 18, 2024, and is led by Dr. Omo-Ehijele Frank Odafen.

This move follows prolonged advocacy from the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which had been calling for significant changes at the institution.

The ASUU chapter had been pushing for the appointment of a permanent Vice-Chancellor, the establishment of a formal governing council for the university, increased funding, and enhanced staff welfare, among other improvements. These demands had been a focal point of the union’s campaign for several years.

In response to the council’s recent directive, Adagbonyin acknowledged the order to vacate his office, stating that he plans to formally step down next week.

He will hand over his responsibilities to Professor Samuel Olowo, the newly elected Provost of the College of Medicine, who will assume the role of Acting Vice-Chancellor.

This transition is part of a broader plan to appoint a permanent Vice-Chancellor for the university.

Adagbonyin, who has served as Acting Vice-Chancellor since February 8, 2022, following the removal of his predecessor, Professor Benson Osadolor, expressed his gratitude to the university community.

He thanked them for their support during his tenure and for the efforts of his team in advancing the university’s development.

The governing council’s recent actions are seen as a step toward addressing long-standing issues at the university and fulfilling the demands of the ASUU, aiming to bring about a more stable and effective leadership structure at Ambrose Alli University.