Port Harcourt, Nigeria – March 5, 2025 – The race for the next Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Rivers State University (RSU) has intensified as 15 distinguished professors compete for the prestigious position. The selection process, which is expected to shape the future of the institution, has drawn attention from academics, students, and stakeholders in the Nigerian education sector.
A Highly Competitive Selection Process
The appointment of a new VC is a crucial decision that will influence policy direction, academic excellence, and infrastructural development at RSU for the next tenure. The Governing Council of the university has assured that the selection process will be thorough, transparent, and merit-based, ensuring that the most qualified candidate emerges.
According to sources within the university, the candidates vying for the position include senior academics with extensive experience in research, administration, and leadership. Each professor is expected to present their vision for the institution, detailing strategies for enhancing academic standards, research output, and student welfare.
Stakeholders Urge Fairness and Integrity
The selection of a Vice-Chancellor is often a politically sensitive issue in Nigerian universities, with concerns about favoritism, external influence, and institutional politics. However, stakeholders—including staff unions, student bodies, and education advocates—have called for a fair and credible process, ensuring that the most competent and visionary leader emerges.
A senior lecturer at RSU, who spoke anonymously, emphasized the need for strong leadership at the university:
“Rivers State University is at a critical point where we need a Vice-Chancellor who will prioritize academic growth, innovation, and infrastructural development. We hope the best candidate is chosen based on merit and not external pressure.”
Challenges Awaiting the Next VC
The incoming Vice-Chancellor will inherit several challenges, including:
- Funding and infrastructural development to improve learning facilities.
- Enhancing research and global academic collaborations.
- Ensuring stable academic calendars amid ASUU-related challenges.
- Improving student welfare and faculty development.
What Happens Next?
The selection process is expected to progress through screening stages, where candidates will be evaluated on their qualifications, vision statements, and past contributions to academia. The Governing Council is expected to announce the final appointment in the coming weeks.
As the race for the Vice-Chancellor position intensifies, all eyes remain on who will lead Rivers State University into its next chapter. Will the selection process be based on merit, or will politics interfere? The academic community watches closely.