The Governing Council of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, has appointed Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa as the 7th and first female Vice-Chancellor of the 34-year-old federal institution.

Professor Akanwa, who until her appointment on Friday served as the university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development), will succeed the outgoing 6th Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, with effect from March 1, 2026, following the expiration of his tenure at the end of February 2026.

The Chief Public Relations Officer of the university, Dr. Ubadire Agua, said the appointment was announced by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Comrade Fidelis Chukwunweike Edeh, shortly after the 95th meeting of the council, which considered the report of the Vice-Chancellor Selection Panel.

Dr. Agua disclosed that Professor Akanwa is a Professor of Educational Measurement and Evaluation. She joined MOUAU in 2011 as an Associate Professor from Abia State University, Uturu, and rose to the rank of full professor in 2014.

Professor Akanwa and her husband, Dr. Michael Akanwa, a medical doctor based in Umuahia, are natives of Imo State.

The position of Vice-Chancellor of MOUAU has traditionally rotated among the five South-East states — Imo, Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi — before returning to Abia State in 2021.

In the order of succession, Professor Placid Njoku (Imo State) served as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, followed by Professors Ogbonnaya Onwudike (Abia), Ikenna Onyido (Anambra), Hilary Edeoga (Enugu), Francis Otunta (Ebonyi), and Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe (Abia), the outgoing Vice-Chancellor.