Get Guardian on Google…Staff applaud Ugbogu’s appointment, commend predecessor
The ninth substantive Vice-Chancellor of Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, Professor Amadike Eziuche Ugbogu, has pledged to end nepotism, tribalism, discrimination and favouritism in the institution, promising to build a university driven by merit, innovation and global academic excellence.
Ugbogu made the pledge on Monday while formally assuming office following his presentation to the university community by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Rt. Hon. Dr Agwu U. Agwu, a former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly.
His emergence attracted thunderous ovations from members of the Governing Council, management, staff and students, who welcomed him as the institution’s ninth substantive Vice-Chancellor.
The 45-year-old professor of Biochemistry, who was appointed for a single five-year tenure beginning November 1, 2026, said his ambition was to transform ABSU from an institution focused primarily on awarding degrees into a centre for innovation, problem-solving and global academic partnerships.
“My mission is to see ABSU move beyond being an institution that merely awards degrees to become one that creates solutions, produces innovations, attracts global partners and commands respect within the international academic community,” he said.
Declaring his commitment to fairness and institutional discipline, Ugbogu said his administration would not tolerate nepotism, tribalism, discrimination or selective treatment of members of the university community.
“God has shown mercy on me, and I do not take this for granted. I will build on the achievements of my predecessor, Professor Okeudo, and improve where necessary,” he said.
He urged students to take their academic work seriously, embrace discipline and protect the university’s reputation, adding that they must strive to become worthy ambassadors of ABSU.
The new Vice-Chancellor also promised zero tolerance for corrupt practices, insisting that appointments, promotions, awards, opportunities and responsibilities would be determined by merit and competence rather than personal connections.
“We will not run a university where opportunities are limited to a selected few or where personal connections dictate institutional decisions,” he declared.
He said his administration would work towards building an enviable institution where graduates would be proud of their qualifications, staff would find fulfilment in their work, students would receive quality education and parents would have confidence in the value of the degrees awarded.
Presenting Ugbogu to the university community, Agwu disclosed that the Governing Council selected him after interviewing 12 candidates, from whom three names were forwarded to the Visitor to the university and Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, for the final appointment in accordance with the university’s enabling law.
Congratulating the new Vice-Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellor said his emergence came with greater responsibility, commitment and the need for teamwork to realise the aspirations of Governor Otti and the university’s founding fathers.
He urged the university community, including management, Senate, staff and students, to rally behind the new administration to make ABSU a model institution comparable with the world’s leading universities.
Agwu expressed confidence in Ugbogu’s ability to deliver, describing his relatively young age as an advantage rather than a limitation.
“As a young man, we know the new Vice-Chancellor will approach his assignment with greater vigour and determination for excellence. Age should not be a barrier,” he said.
The Pro-Chancellor also announced that the Governing Council had approved the appointment of three principal officers: Mr Ojo Eziuche Obasi as Registrar, Mr Emeremadu Mark Amaefule as Bursar and Professor Samuel Ibenne as University Librarian.
He directed the Director of Training to immediately organise appropriate training for the newly appointed principal officers and other relevant personnel to align their responsibilities with the institution’s development agenda.
Although acknowledging that ABSU had recorded significant progress in the preceding two years, Agwu said much remained to be done to achieve the university’s aspirations.
In his reaction, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ABSU branch, Comrade Chidi Mba, assured Ugbogu of the support of the staff unions, while cautioning him against sycophants.
“We are solidly behind you, but your age should not be taken for granted. It is therefore time for academic work, but there are sycophants,” Mba said.
Similarly, the President of the Students’ Union Government, Comrade Victor Uzoma, pledged the students’ cooperation, promising that they would work with the new Vice-Chancellor to move the institution to greater heights.
In his remarks, Ugbogu’s predecessor, Professor Ndukwe Okeudo, expressed satisfaction that his successor emerged from within the university, describing the appointment as evidence of the achievements recorded during his nearly two-year tenure.
“I am happy that within ABSU, God found my worthy successor. I am therefore leaving here a very happy man,” Okeudo said.
