By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, has unveiled an ambitious vision to position the institution among Nigeria’s top 10 public universities and within the top 1000 globally before 2027, even as she announced the push towards the introduction of Open and Distance Learning programmes in the school.
Prof. Omenugha disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing journalists at the university ahead of its 16th convocation ceremony, where she also highlighted some present and future-focused reforms aimed at expanding access, quality, and global competitiveness of the state-owned University.
While outlining the activities lined up for the convocation week, the VC, who was appointed in Acting capacity in November 2023 and confirmed as the 5th substantive Vice Chancellor of the school in August 2025, also reflected on her journey and the progress so far recorded under her leadership in barely two and half years.
According to her, the 16th convocation, which she described as a “diplomatic edition”, marks a significant milestone, being the first she would preside over as a substantive Vice Chancellor, and notably, the first woman to occupy the position in the school.
She disclosed that a total of 3,185 undergraduate students and 803 postgraduate students would be graduating during the convocation ceremony, a development she attributed to increased enrollment, improved academic standards, and renewed confidence in the institution, when compared with what the narrative used to be in the past.
Giving a breakdown of activities for the convocation week, the Vice Chancellor listed the press conference on April 21, Founder’s Day and the 4th Ojukwu Memorial Lecture on April 22, interdenominational service and Students’ Day on April 23, convocation lecture on April 24, and the grand finale on April 25.
She disclosed that the Ojukwu Memorial Lecture would be delivered by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Amb. Gautier Mignot, on the theme “Sustainable Climate Resilience: Beyond Rhetorics,” while the convocation lecture would be handled by the Polish Ambassador to Nigeria, Michał Cygan, focusing on “Building Innovative Minds and Bridges for Shared Prosperity.”
Prof. Omenugha emphasized that her administration is driven by what she described as the three Vs — Value, Visibility, and Viability, further explaining that these pillars have guided reforms aimed at repositioning the university.
On visibility, she noted that deliberate efforts have been made to rebrand the institution and restore confidence among students and alumni, adding that the narrative has significantly changed from a time when graduates were reluctant to proudly identify with the university.
She further revealed that the institution has strengthened academic structures, including the establishment of a Centre for Teaching and Learning to support students’ development beyond the classroom, as well as the integration of artificial intelligence tools to enhance learning outcomes and improve quality of graduates.
Addressing issues of value, discipline and ethics, the Vice Chancellor reiterated her administration’s zero tolerance for exploitation and extortion of students by staff, stressing that erring officials have been sanctioned through measures such as salary withholding, explosion and public exposure in the university’s internal publications, as part of the ways to name and shame anyone found wanting on such unethical acts. The VC, who boasted of improved staff welfare in the university, reaffirmed her resolve that no staff should extort, exploit, or victimize any student in the University under her watch, even as she encouraged students to always speak up when confronted with such challenges.
She also frowned at the indiscriminate award of professorships and other such qualifications to undeserving persons, noting that strict adherence to due process has now been enforced to maintain academic integrity.
On viability, Prof. Omenugha highlighted the university’s growing partnerships with local and international organizations, philanthropists, and government agencies, which she said have contributed to infrastructural development and student support initiatives.
Among such interventions and plans, she mentioned the establishment of a university kitchen and bakery, work-aid programmes linking students with industries, and the launch of the “Genius Fund” to assist indigent students struggling to pay their fees. The VC equally announced the launch of COOU Table water, which she said will also be used throughout the event and other official events in the University.
As part of her legacies, she also disclosed plans to establish a Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, a Business School of international standard, and to expand the institution’s academic reach through Open and Distance Learning programmes, which is already underway through the institution’s Learning Management System. According to her, the initiative is designed to widen access to university education beyond physical classrooms. Although she acknowledged that the process is rigorous and requires careful implementation.
The Vice Chancellor further noted that despite economic realities, the university has maintained one of the most affordable tuition regimes in the country, with no increase in fees over the past decade.
Providing insight into student enrollment trends, she revealed that Nursing Science remains the most sought-after course with over 1,170 applicants for just 130 available slots, while some programmes such as Fisheries and Aquaculture continue to suffer low patronage, prompting a call for reorientation.
On infrastructure and government support, Prof. Omenugha commended Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for ongoing interventions across the university’s campuses, including road construction, rehabilitation of facilities, and the restoration of a previously vandalized power substation, among others.
She also highlighted the resuscitation of the university’s radio station, UNIOJUKWU 106.1 FM on January 30 after over nine years of moribundity, and the strengthening of COOU TV as part of efforts to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical exposure.
In the area of environmental sustainability, she revealed plans to plant at least 1,000 trees within five years, while also enforcing strict environmental standards, including sanctions against indiscriminate waste disposal. The Vice Chancellor further disclosed that the university has developed a five-year strategic plan, which is already being implemented, and will be formally unveiled during the convocation.
On security, she noted that the institution has intensified measures under its Safe Campus Initiative, including improved surveillance and protection of critical infrastructure, while also acknowledging the state government’s broader efforts in enhancing security across Anambra.
Reaffirming her vision to rebrand the school as the “Now University and of the Future” , Prof. Omenugha expressed confidence that with sustained reforms, strategic partnerships, and commitment to excellence, COOU is on course to achieve its target of becoming one of Nigeria’s leading universities in the near future as it remains firm on its roadmap to success.
The Vice Chancellor was joined in the press conference by some senior staff and principal officers of the University, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration and Environmental Sustainability, Prof. Anselm Nweke; Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, Prof. Obiora Ejiofor; Deputy Vice-Chancellor Development and Uli Campus Affairs, Prof. Sylvia Okonkwo; Acting University Librarian, Dr. Uchechukwu Enweani; Provost College of Medicine, Prof. Lawrence Ikeakor; HoD English Department and Deputy University Orator, Dr. Ikechukwu Asika; Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Osita Chiaghanam; and the Special Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor on Administration and Statutory Meetings and former Registrar, Rev. O. R. A. Okechukwu, as well as the Public Relations Officer of the University, Dr. Harrison Madubueze, among others.
