The Governing Council of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike has appointed Ursula Akanwa as the institution’s seventh and first female vice chancellor.
Her appointment was announced by the pro-chancellor and chairman of council, Fidelis Edeh, after the 95th meeting of the council, which considered the report of the vice chancellor selection panel.
Mrs. Akanwa emerged following a contest involving 22 professors.
She will assume office on March 1, succeeding Maduebibisi Iwe, whose tenure ends on February 28.
A professor of educational measurement and evaluation, Akanwa joined the university in 2011 as an associate professor from Abia State University, Uturu.
She was promoted to full professor in 2014 and currently serves as deputy vice chancellor (research and development).
Established in 1992, the university has operated an informal rotation of the vice chancellor position among the five South-East states.
The pioneer vice chancellor, Placid Njoku from Imo State, served from 1993 to 1999.
He was succeeded by Ogbonnaya Onwudike (Abia, 2000–2006), Ikenna Onyido (Anambra, 2006–2011), Hilary Edeoga (Enugu, 2011–2016) and Francis Otunta (Ebonyi, 2016–2021).
Mr. Iwe, also from Abia State, has served since 2021.
Ursula Akanwa is from Imo State and was born in Gusau, Zamfara State.
She attended Community Primary School, Agbala, Owerri and Girls’ Secondary School, Emekuku, Owerri, graduating in 1979.
She later enrolled at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1980 and graduated in 1984.
She has over 73 journal publications and has authored eight textbooks.
She is a member of the investigative panel on the recovery of looted Abia funds set up by Governor Alex Otti.
Akanwa is married to Dr Michael Akanwa, a medical doctor based in Umuahia and they have children.
