Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU) has officially defended its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, amidst controversy over recent recruitment practices. The university’s management asserts that Professor Akanwa was not involved in supervising or influencing the disputed hiring process. Instead, they place the blame for the issues on the previous administration, alleging they surpassed the officially sanctioned recruitment limits. This explanation aims to quell concerns and clarify the circumstances surrounding the recruitment exercise. The university’s statement seeks to dispel accusations leveled against the current Vice-Chancellor and highlight prior administrative decisions as the root cause of the problem. Further details regarding the extent of the over-hiring and specific actions taken by the previous administration were not immediately available. This announcement follows scrutiny of the university’s recruitment procedures as reported by Vanguard News.