Enugu varsity raises lecturers’ minimum qualification to PhD

Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI) in Enugu has announced an increase in the minimum qualification for its lecturers to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), effective from the 2025-2026 academic session.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Christian Anieke, made the announcement on Friday during a “Spiritual Retreat” organised for academic and senior administrative staff. He urged those with lower degrees to upgrade their qualifications or be prepared to leave their positions.

“This directive complies with the National Universities Commission guidelines,” Anieke stated. He added that graduate assistants would not be permitted to teach alone unless the required qualified lecturers were available.

Anieke also stressed the importance of mentorship, warning officials against the abuse of the mentorship programme. He stated that the university management would not tolerate absenteeism from lectures by lecturers.

In her remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. MarySylvia Nwachukwu, expressed concern over the low attendance to lectures by teachers during the first week of academic resumption. She announced that the academic monitorship committee would intensify supervision of lectures to identify those absent from their duties for necessary action.

Earlier, the Guest Speaker at the retreat, Rev. Fr. Liberatus Isife, reminded attendees that the success of any educational institution hinges on the knowledge imparted to students. He stressed the need for participants to reflect on the past and strive for positive change.

Isife identified failure to develop oneself and update lecture notes as significant obstacles to productivity, stating that these challenges could be addressed through greater commitment to their duties.

The spiritual retreat was attended by principal officers, professors, heads of departments, and directors from the university and its affiliated institutions.