The controversy surrounding Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra State, has entered a new phase following a major clarification from Rev. Fr. Lawrence Nwankwo, who represented His Eminence Francis Cardinal Okpaleke, Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, at a crucial meeting with officials of the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja.
The meeting, held in 2024, was convened amid continuing disagreements over the administration, ownership structure, and future direction of the university following the death of its founder, Very Rev. Msgr. Prof. John Bosco Akam, in 2021.
Msgr. Akam, a diocesan priest of Ekwulobia Diocese and founder of Tansian University, left behind a legacy of educational institutions and religious initiatives. Since his death, questions have emerged over succession, trusteeship, governance, and the interpretation of his final wishes.
While some stakeholders have argued that the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia, by virtue of Msgr. Akam’s status as a diocesan priest and provisions of Canon Law, has a role in the affairs of the institution, others maintain that the founder’s Last Will transferred the university to the Missionary Sons of Blessed Tansi (MST), the religious organisation he founded.
Addressing the gathering, Fr. Nwankwo made it clear that Cardinal Okpaleke’s involvement was not based on a claim of ownership.
“Let me stand on all existing protocols. I’m representing the Cardinal Okpaleke, the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia and I just want to talk about how Ekwulobia Diocese got involved, not in terms of ownership tussle, not at all,” he said.
According to him, the Diocese became involved because Msgr. Akam was a priest under Ekwulobia Diocese at the time of his death.
“From the point of view that Monsignor John Bosco Akam at the time of his death was a Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia. And from the point of view of the Church, as a Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia, the Diocese and the Bishop takes full responsibility for his welfare, both when alive and at death.”
Fr. Nwankwo explained that the situation would have been different if Msgr. Akam had died without leaving instructions on his estate.
“If a Priest dies without a WILL, it is presumed that whatever the Diocese would decide…” he said.
However, he stressed that Msgr. Akam did have a Will.
“But when Monsignor died, because his property has a WILL, that changed the situation.”
He explained that as Chancellor of the Diocese of Ekwulobia, he was involved in assisting with issues surrounding probate, inventory, executors, and the transition process after the founder’s death.
“I was out of the journey because as a Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia, I assist the Bishop in a special way as regards taking the Probate, as regards taking the inventory and executors of his WILL among others.”
According to him, after Msgr. Akam’s death, several unresolved matters relating to his institutions came before the Diocese.
“At that point, all things pertaining to Monsignor, even matters as regards to Tansian University and all the schools establishments were all coming to him; those being owed and whatever problems.”
He said Cardinal Okpaleke decided to intervene because of his desire to preserve the founder’s achievements.
“At the point of his death, the Bishop promised that he would as much as possible help to preserve the legacies of Monsignor John Bosco Akam.”
Fr. Nwankwo repeatedly stressed that preservation of the founder’s legacy, rather than ownership, was the reason behind the Diocese’s intervention.
“And it was on that ground, only on that basis, that Ekwulobia Diocese got involved, not claiming ownership.”
On the issue of Canon Law and the Diocese’s relationship with the institution, Fr. Nwankwo acknowledged that the Diocese had a connection but said Cardinal Okpaleke was not seeking to contest the university’s ownership.
“Although, in terms of Canon Law, the Diocese has a locus in Tansian University now, but the Bishop said no, he’s not going to contest anything but to help.”
He explained that some administrative changes made after Msgr. Akam’s death were intended to address practical challenges surrounding registration and institutional continuity.
He said: “It was on that basis that, to rearrange matters now that Monsignor was dead, they now had to put the name of the Cardinal to substitute for that of Monsignor so that when you’re going to change whatever registrations and other documentations they’re going to make as regards both the University…”
Fr. Nwankwo also distinguished between the university and other institutions associated with Msgr. Akam.
According to him, some properties had clear directions in the founder’s Will, while others required administrative intervention.
“As regards the school at Ugah, because there was something written in the WILL about what to do about all these things, the Diocese has no interest, but just to help stabilize things and then give it out.”
He added that the university presented a different situation because of unresolved issues surrounding its management structure.
“But the University not willed to any group, that’s how the Bishop stayed there, and in the registration and change of documents and all that, his name was put in place of that of Monsignor.”
The meeting also addressed issues concerning the Missionary Sons of Blessed Tansi (MST), the congregation founded by Msgr. Akam.
Fr. Nwankwo said Cardinal Okpaleke had been involved in resolving disagreements within the congregation and ensuring that structures were created to support the institution.
“It wasn’t just the congregation that Monsignor founded, they were having issues… and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia has been involved even till date, helping them to agree amongst themselves.”
He explained that the appointment of officers, including the Pro-Chancellor, was part of efforts to reposition the university.
“That’s how the Bishop got involved. And just as the distinguished Senator Victor Umhe has said, he was approached, because the Bishop had already thought about how to get people who can help build this University up.”
However, tension later developed following disagreements over administrative decisions and disciplinary actions involving the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Theresa Nkechi Obiekezie.
Fr. Edwin Obiora was later reported to have sacked the Pro-Chancellor, a decision that reportedly did not go down will with the Cardinal.
Fr. Nwankwo told the meeting that Cardinal Okpaleke objected to removing an officer without allowing due process.
“The Cardinal said, no, in conscience, you cannot remove somebody without giving the person a fair hearing,” he said.
He explained that after a vote was taken and the decision appeared to move towards removal, Cardinal Okpaleke chose resignation rather than support a process he considered unfair.
“In that case she has to go and the Cardinal said in that case I resign. I cannot in conscience remove her without giving her fair hearing.”
Fr. Nwankwo further explained that after the Board of Trustees meeting, Cardinal Okpaleke initially remained willing to support efforts to stabilise the institution.
“The Cardinal said we can still work on to see how we can move the place forward.”
However, he said subsequent developments changed the situation.
“But then after the meeting we saw that they started carrying out those things that purportedly at the Board of Trustees meeting has been discussed and said stay action.”
According to him, that was when Cardinal Okpaleke decided to withdraw completely.
“And with that the Cardinal said, well, in as much as at the Board of Trustees meeting he had agreed, so to say, to keep on working towards getting the place stabilized not anymore.”
His final statement on the matter was:
“So, he’s stepping out.”
The Abuja meeting was attended by senior officials of the National Universities Commission, including representatives responsible for academic planning, accreditation, finance, examinations, human resources, research, innovation, and special projects.
Representatives from Tansian University included Senator Victor Umeh, Chancellor of the university; Prof. Ejike, Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance; Rev. Fr. Daniel Igwilo, Registrar; Mr. Innocent Anthony Uke, Trustee; Prof. Theresa Nkechi Obiekezie, Pro-Chancellor; Rev. Fr. Mary Oguata of MST; Prof. Godwin Akam, younger brother of the founder and surviving executor; among others.
