The Board of Trustees of Tansian University has rebutted reports alleging a leadership crisis at the institution, following a widely circulated publication claiming that its Chancellor had been removed.
The disputed report alleged a “major leadership shake-up” at the Anambra State-based university, stating that the Missionary Servants of the Church/Missionary Sons of Blessed Tansi (MSC/MST), identified as proprietors, had terminated the appointment of Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Edwin S.C. Obiorah as Chancellor. It further claimed his role as legal adviser to the institution and affiliated bodies had been revoked over allegations including misconduct, unauthorised legal actions, and interference in institutional processes.
According to that publication, a letter dated 23 February 2026 accused Obiorah of “conversion of institutional properties”, “false and misleading legal representations”, and the “unauthorised exercise of authority”. The report also stated that he had been instructed to cease all legal activities on behalf of the Missionary Sons of Blessed Tansi and to hand over documents relating to ongoing and past cases within seven days.
It further alleged that new legal counsel had already been appointed by the religious body to take over all institutional matters, while copies of the termination notice were reportedly sent to senior stakeholders, including prominent clerics and individuals linked to the university’s founding. The publication also cited unnamed sources claiming tensions escalated during a recent Board meeting, where Obiorah was said to have reacted strongly and issued threats concerning the role of MSC/MST members within the university.
However, in a detailed rebuttal, the university’s Board of Trustees dismissed the claims in their entirety, describing the publication as “false, misleading, and clearly intended to create unnecessary confusion and disaffection among stakeholders and the public”.
“The leadership of Tansian University is not in dispute in any form whatsoever,” the Board said in its statement, signed by Secretary Prof. Ozokwere Helen N. “Any attempt to suggest otherwise is false, misleading, and clearly intended to create unnecessary confusion.”
Reiterating its position, the Board stressed: “For the avoidance of doubt, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Edwin S.C. Obiorah JSD SAN remains the duly recognised, legitimate, and lawful Chancellor/Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Tansian University. His position is valid, subsisting, and fully backed by the appropriate institutional and legal frameworks governing the University.”
The Board went further in its criticism of the allegations contained in the earlier publication, stating that they “are not only unsubstantiated but bear the clear markings of mischief, distortion, and deliberate character assassination”.
“They fail to meet even the most basic standards of credibility and should therefore be disregarded in their entirety,” the statement added.
In a strong defence of Obiorah’s personal and professional reputation, the Board described him as “a man of impeccable character, widely respected for his integrity, intellectual depth, and unwavering commitment to academic excellence and institutional development”.
“His contributions to the growth and stability of Tansian University, as well as his broader service in academia and society, speak volumes and cannot be diminished by baseless claims,” the statement continued.
Addressing the broader implications of the controversy, the Board emphasised that governance issues within institutions must be understood within proper legal and administrative contexts, warning against reliance on incomplete or sensationalised narratives.
“It is important to emphasise that institutional governance matters must be understood within their proper legal and administrative context,” the statement read. “Sensational reports built on speculation, selective narratives, or undisclosed interests do not constitute facts and should not be treated as such.”
The Board also issued a direct appeal to stakeholders, including students, staff, and members of the academic community, urging them to disregard the publication and any similar reports.
“We therefore urge the general public, stakeholders, and the academic community to disregard the said publication and any similar narratives that seek to undermine the stability and leadership of Tansian University,” it stated.
Reaffirming the institution’s direction, the Board concluded: “Tansian University remains committed to its founding vision, academic excellence, and principled leadership under the rightful stewardship of Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Edwin S.C. Obiorah JSD SAN as Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.”
“The leadership of Tansian University stands firm, clear, and undisputed.”
While the original publication referenced internal correspondence and alleged actions by the MSC/MST, the Board’s response stops short of addressing each specific allegation in detail, instead focusing on asserting the legitimacy and continuity of its leadership structure.
The exchange underscores wider tensions that can arise within privately owned universities, particularly where founding bodies, governing boards, and administrative leadership intersect. In Nigeria’s higher education sector, such disputes—whether substantiated or not—can have significant implications for institutional stability, governance clarity, and public trust.
Tansian University appears intent on containing the fallout, presenting a unified front and reiterating confidence in its leadership. Whether further responses emerge from the Missionary Sons of Blessed Tansi or other stakeholders remains to be seen, but the Board’s message is unequivocal: there is no leadership vacuum at the university, and any suggestion to the contrary should be dismissed.
Earlier by MSC/MST:
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