Tansian University crisis deepens as rival bodies claim ownership

— NUC recognises missionary group as proprietor, letter shows

— Missionaries pledge to settle Ezeonwuka’s ₦10m annual honorarium arrears

— Parents reportedly seek students’ safety as police barricade campuses

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

ONITSHA — The ownership crisis at Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra State, has deepened following competing claims over the institution’s control, with the National Universities Commission (NUC) recognising the Missionary Sons of the Blessed Tansi (MST) as its proprietor, according to a letter dated August 18, 2026.

The dispute involves members of the missionary group, formerly known as the Missionary Servants of the Church (MSC), and Rev. Fr. Edwin Obiorah, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who currently occupies the position of Chancellor and Chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees.

The latest development comes amid disagreements over the university’s registration, its leadership and an outstanding annual honorarium owed to Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, who donated the institution’s take-off campus at Oba, in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

MST has reportedly terminated Obiorah’s legal representation and demanded that he hand over all files in his possession within seven days of the termination notice.

In a letter jointly signed by the group’s coordinator, Rev. Dan Igwilo, and secretary, Bro. Paulde Silas Inuen, MST cited concerns over alleged conversion of institutional properties, allegedly misleading legal representations concerning the university, and what it described as the unauthorised assumption or exercise of authority in matters affecting the group.

These remain allegations by the missionary group.

The dispute has also extended to the appointment of the vice-chancellor. While MST reportedly wants Prof. Eugene Nwadialor retained in the position, Obiorah appointed Rev. Fr. Prof. Nnamdi Ambrose as his preferred candidate following the death of Prof. Cater Umeoduagu.

Umeoduagu reportedly died about 24 hours after Obiorah appointed him acting vice-chancellor to take over from Nwadialor, who was abroad for a medical check-up.

Tansian University was approved by the NUC in 2007. The ownership dispute reportedly intensified after the death of its founder, Monsignor John Bosco Akam, in 2021.

Akam, a Catholic priest and founder of MSC, was said to have bequeathed the university to the missionary group in his will.

NUC recognises MST

In a statement dated August 18, 2026, and signed by its Director of Inspection and Monitoring, Mrs Justina Emerole, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, the NUC said it recognised MST as the proprietor of Tansian University, citing Sections 1(3) and 30 of the Tansian University Law, 2007.

The commission also told the Commander of the Intelligence Response Team, Office of the Commissioner of Police, Force Intelligence Department, that it found no evidence that the names of Obiorah and members of his board had been forwarded for security clearance by the Department of State Services, as required under the relevant regulatory process.

The letter, with reference number NUC/ES/15/Vol.2/449, was titled Re: Investigation Activities: Case of Criminal Conspiracy, Impersonation, Forgery, Attempted Murder and Fraud.

The allegations listed in the title relate to an investigation and should not be taken as established findings against any individual.

The commission said its efforts to restore peace at the university had yet to produce the desired results.

“Our efforts at restoring peace in TANU over the years appears not yielding the desired fruits as evidenced by the recent crisis in the institution,” the letter stated.

The NUC added that it had deployed an eight-member Forensic Audit Team to the university from June 21 to 28, 2026, to establish facts and recommend measures for resolving the dispute.

It said the commission’s management was reviewing the team’s report before taking further action aimed at restoring stability and establishing a governance framework consistent with standards in Nigeria’s university system.

Missionaries pledge to settle honorarium arrears

Another longstanding dispute concerns the annual ₦10 million honorarium reportedly owed to Ezeonwuka for donating the property and structures used as the university’s take-off campus at Oba.

According to the account provided by Ezeonwuka, an Anambra State High Court consent judgment directed the university’s management to pay him ₦10 million annually in recognition of the donation.

The NUC reportedly approved the arrangement, stipulating that the payment should be described as an honorarium rather than rent for land, buildings or other property.

The university paid the honorarium for some years but subsequently stopped, reportedly citing financial constraints.

Ezeonwuka later obtained a judgment authorising the sale of movable and immovable university assets to recover the accumulated debt, according to the account provided.

The university’s management under Obiorah challenged the judgment at the Court of Appeal. The appellate court reportedly upheld the lower court’s decision.

The dispute is now before the Supreme Court, where Obiorah is challenging the decisions of the lower courts.

Speaking by telephone, Ezeonwuka, who holds the title Ogilisi Igbo, said the unpaid honorarium had accumulated over more than 10 years.

Rev. Val Onyelusi, a leader of MST, said the group was discussing with Ezeonwuka how to settle the outstanding amount once the missionary group regained control of the university.

He said MST was prepared to honour the agreement on the annual honorarium.

Onyelusi also alleged that Obiorah, who was engaged as the university’s lawyer by the late Akam, subsequently registered the institution as Tansian University Ltd/Gte and assumed the positions of chancellor and chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The registration dispute remains central to the competing claims over the institution.

Founder’s will cited

MST also cited Akam’s will, dated October 5, 2014, which reportedly named the group as the owner of the university and the principal beneficiary of his estate.

The will directed the university’s Governing Council, Board of Trustees, Pro-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor to allocate 70 per cent of the institution’s profits to MST.

The missionary group maintains that the document supports its claim to ownership and control of the university.

Students caught in the dispute

Meanwhile, students have reportedly been left stranded on campus amid heightened tensions, with parents seeking assurances about their children’s safety.

The report said mobile policemen had barricaded the gates of both the Oba take-off campus and the main campus at Umunya.

The situation has raised concerns about the disruption of academic activities and the welfare of students caught up in the ownership dispute.

Efforts to obtain Obiorah’s response to MST’s termination of his legal representation and the NUC’s position on the university’s registration were unsuccessful before this report was filed. He could not be reached for comment.

His response, as well as any further clarification from the university’s management, would be necessary to present the competing positions fully.

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