By Abiola Olawale
A dramatic incident unfolded at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, involving a female student and a lecturer.
It was gathered that the incident occurred after an altercation between the student and the lecturer on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the Faculty of Arts.
The altercation was said to have stemmed from a dispute over the interruption of a video recording the student was making, reportedly for TikTok.
The lecturer involved has been identified as Dr. Chukwudi Michael Okoye, of the Department of Theatre Arts and Film Studies, while the student, Goddy Mbakwe Precious, is a third-year student in the Department of History and International Studies, respectively.
According to multiple reports, the incident began when the student was recording a dance video in a faculty corridor. Dr. Okoye, requiring a space to pass through the corridor, tapped the student on the shoulder and said, “Excuse me,” to make way for himself.
This action was said to have angered the student, triggered a heated reaction from the student, who became visibly upset.
Eyewitnesses and video evidence circulating online indicate that the student exclaimed, “Can you imagine how he just hit me?” after the lecturer passed by.
The lecturer, overhearing the student’s derogatory remarks, returned to confirm whether she was one of his students and to address her reaction.
Upon noticing that she was recording a video, he requested that she delete the footage, as he did not want to appear in it. This request was said to have further angered the student and escalated her reaction, confrontation.
According to the lecturer’s account, the student allegedly reacted violently when he reached for her phone to ensure the video was deleted. She allegedly bit him on both arms, tore his clothes, slapped him, and scratched his face.
However, her account claimed that she was recording a video with a friend when she felt a push on her arm, accompanied by the words “Excuse me.”
She stated that she did not know Dr Okoye was a lecturer and felt disrespected by his actions, which she said she perceived as aggressive.
Meanwhile, the incident has drawn the attention of the university authorities, with UNIZIK’s Chief Security Officer, Ken Chukwurah, confirming that an internal investigation is underway.
He added that the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, has ordered a full-scale investigation, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to discipline, self-reliance, and excellence, as well as fair hearing, equity, and justice.
Chukwurah noted that the university would make its position known once the investigation concludes.
