Tansian University Probes Sudden Death of Vice-Chancellor One Day After His Appointment

(Tansian University. Photo by Daily Post)

Tansian University, a faith-based university in Anambra State, has set up a five-man investigative committee to look into the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Carter Nnamdi Dike Umeoduagu.

Umeoduagu died on Saturday, a day after he was sworn in as Vice-Chancellor.

He had been acting Vice-Chancellor for two months after the former Vice-Chancellor travelled abroad on medical leave.

Reports online say the position had been caught up in controversy after the former VC returned and claimed that his tenure, which ended on September 30, 2026, had been extended until 2030.

The Governing Council, however, swore in Umeoduagu as substantive VC on Friday.

Sources said that after a brief ceremony, he went home, took ill and died on Saturday morning.

In a press release by the university's Board of Trustees and Management, the committee was announced by the Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. E.S.C. Obiorah (SAN), at a board meeting on Monday.

It has 48 hours to submit its action plan, including recommendations on the university's role in the funeral arrangements and how it will respond to the coming autopsy report.

Obiorah called the late Vice-Chancellor a hero and a fine scholar who fought bravely for the growth of the institution.

He raised concerns about possible negligence around the death and said the autopsy will help establish what really happened.

He added that the university will erect a memorial in honour of the late academic.

The university said it will support the family's decision to authorise an autopsy.

His death has thrown the university community into mourning. The Board of Trustees, Governing Council, Management, Senate, staff and students described it as a big loss to the institution, his family and the Nigerian academic community.

The university said he was a vibrant and promising scholar who put great energy into strengthening its academic programmes and standards, and that he strongly believed Nigerian universities could reach higher academic standards and contribute to national development.

Tansian University has declared a two-week mourning period. Academic activities have been postponed, and the university flag will stay at half-mast throughout.

The institution also asked the public and the media to respect the privacy of the bereaved family and avoid speculation or the spread of unverified information about the cause of his death.