Executive Leadership

Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha is the Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Anambra State. She is a Professor of Mass Communication at Nnamdi Aziwe University, Awka, Fellow of the Institute of Public Relations and the Southeast Regional Consultant on Human Capital Development (HCD) for the Core Working Group (CWG) in the Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Prior to her appointment in 2023 as the Acting Vice Chancellor of COOU by the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo; Professor Omenugha served the state from 2014 to 2022 as the Honourable Commissioner for Education and later Honourable Commissioner for Basic Education putting in an unbroken and exemplary service record of eight years with enviable legacies in the education sector in Anambra State. She is still widely recognised as the Commissioner for Education that brought passion, integrity and creativity in education, getting commendations from WAEC for credible conduct of examinations in Anambra State. outstanding public primary and secondary school students in the state.

Her success ratings in education development in Anambra State attracted diaspora endowments to the sector including the Ndi Anambra Aberdeen (Anambra State indigenes in Aberdeen, United Kingdom) Scholarship Initiative for outstanding public primary and secondary school students in the state.

Professor Omenugha is an ardent believer in education without borders. This came to test during the lockdown that followed the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic. To break barriers to education during the lockdown, she as the then Commissioner for Basic Education in Anambra State launched the famous Teaching on Air initiative and other forms of strategic communication for emergency and crises management situations. These and many more made her to be esteemed as the Best Commissioner in the state by the then Governor, Dr Willie Obiano and subsequently sent to Harvard for the Leaders in Development training.

As a passionate and consummate professional with a strong technical background in Mass Communication and Public Relations, Professor Omenugha derives joy in the training and mentoring of students and young professionals in diverse specialisations including inspirational and relationship communication, strategic planning and crises management. To her credit as a productive intellectual, she has published extensively in these areas in both national and international journals. She was the Head of Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka for six consecutive years (2006 – 2012). Within those years, she brought phenomenal changes and growth in the department, including the initial take-off of UNIZIK 94.1 FM (the campus radio station) and has been instrumental to the sustenance of the radio station since its debut; first as its Chair and later the Director. Under her watch, UNIZIK 94.1 FM was in 2013 recognised as the best campus radio station in Nigeria.

Her commitment to professional bodies and learned societies remains multiutilitarian. She is known for knowledge-sharing, talent discovery, skills propagation, team-building, synthesis and synchronisation of ideas. These rare virtues saw her work in advisory capacity for her NIPR home chapter where she synergised extensively to grow the active membership of the body by sponsoring members to NIPR conferences and attracting much-needed gadgets and communication facilities. Little wonder she was on two occasions respectively honoured by the chapter with the prestigious Professional Excellence Award and Award of Excellence.

Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha is among the most recognised, recommended, celebrated and decorated female Professors in Nigeria. Among her honours and esteems are:

Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (FNIPR)
Second female Professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria
First Professor of Gender and Communication in Nigeria
Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary Club
Member Anambra State Economic Think- Thank (ANETT) – 2014 to 2022
Board Member, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, 2008 – 2022
Board Member, National Teachers Institute, 2008 – 2022
Board Member, Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS): 2019 to 2022
Integrity International Magazine Global Leader of Integrity Award for Honesty, Good Governance, Transparency and Accountability in Leadership, Accra Ghana
Further to her towering professional profile, the vastly-travelled and wellreceived global public speaker is a family woman to the core. Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha is married to a Medical Doctor in rural practice and blessed with six lovely grown-up children who are equally making their marks in their various fields of endeavour. She is a philanthropist, a preach-and-practice christian, member of Knights of St. John International (KSJI). In recognition of her numerous roles in community development, she has been conferred with numerous chieftaincy titles including Ugogbe Mmuta and Adaejiejemba. Professor Omenugha is a Council member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Alumna of the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard, Boston, USA.

Professor Okonkwo received her Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Chemistry, as well as her Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s degree in Chemical Technology from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Analytical Chemistry in 2008 from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Her academic training has provided a strong foundation for her interdisciplinary research and leadership roles within and outside the University.
Rising steadily through the academic ranks, she attained the position of Professor in 2017. Over the years, she has held several key administrative and leadership positions, including Acting Head of the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Acting Dean of Students’ Affairs, Coordinator of the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), Vice Chairman and Acting Chairman of ASUU (COOU Chapter), and Acting President of the COOU Women Association. She has also served on numerous statutory and ad-hoc committees at departmental, faculty, and university levels.
As Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development/Uli Campus affairs , Professor Sylvia Okonkwo provides strategic leadership in academic and administrative coordination, chairs and serves on critical university committees, and supports quality assurance, staff development, and student welfare initiatives. Her leadership is marked by fairness, inclusiveness, and a strong commitment to institutional excellence.
Professor Sylvia Okonkwo is a highly accomplished scholar with extensive publications in reputable national and international journals. Her research interests span natural products chemistry, phytochemistry, analytical and applied spectroscopy, nanoformulation using phytoextracts, and pharmacokinetic and biomedical applications. She has supervised several PhD and Master’s students and has contributed to curriculum development, accreditation, and research cpacity building within the Nigerian university system.
Her professional engagement extends beyond the University through active membership in national and international professional bodies, editorial responsibilities, conference participation, and consultancy roles. Professor Sylvia Ifeyinwa Okonkwo’s career reflects a sustained commitment to teaching, research, mentorship, and academic leadership in the advancement of higher education in Nigeria.

Sir Chris Uchenna Obi, MNIM, FIPMA, hails from Ohita in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Born to a family of educators, his early education spanned various locations within Anambra and Imo States. He completed his primary education at Community Primary School, Ohita, obtaining his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC). Subsequently, he attended Ogbaru Boys’ Secondary School, Ogbakuba, where he earned his West African School Certificate (WASC). While awaiting his O/L results, he enrolled in the Advanced Level (A/L) Programme at the then Anambra State Polytechnic, Oko, securing his Advanced Level Certificate.

Sir Chris furthered his education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, graduating with a BA (Hons) Second Class Upper Division in Philosophy. During his undergraduate studies, he was selected as the first exchange student from UNN to Colgate University in Hamilton, NY, USA. After completing the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, he returned to UNN for a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration, followed by a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.



In 1996, Sir Chris joined the Anambra State Polytechnic, which later evolved into the present-day Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in 2000. Over the years, he has climbed the ranks from Administrative Officer to Deputy Registrar, a position he attained on 1st October 2009. Throughout his tenure at the institution, Sir Chris has held various key positions, including the first Faculty Officer, Public Relations Officer, Student Affairs Officer, and roles in the Examinations and Records Office, Postgraduate Studies Office, and Academic Planning Office. He has also served as Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Acting Registrar, and currently holds the position of substantive Registrar at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State.

Also, Sir Chris is a distinguished member of the Noble Order of the Knights of Saint Christopher. He is happily married and blessed with children, balancing a successful career with a fulfilling personal life.

Dr. Udezo, Nathan, FCA, FCIB, ACIT, ACIS, ACPIN, ANIM,… the Ag. Bursar of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University is a Professionally qualified seasoned Accountant, Tax Consultant to many states, Banker, Stockbroker and Treasurer with over 25 years of well-rounded accounting and finance experience spanning across financial /management accounting, regulatory and compliance reporting, tax management, internal control, strategic planning, operations, risk management, stockbroking, relationship management and performance management. He is Self-motivated, creative and growth oriented professional with strong multi-tasking, learning and team-playing managerial and excellent analytical skills.

Dr. Uchechukwu Enweani hails from the distinguished family of Late Pa Wilfred and Late Ezinne Gladys Agbomma Enweani. She pursued her educational journey with unwavering commitment, culminating in several academic achievements. Dr. Uchechukwu holds a first-degree in Geography Education and further advanced her studies with Masters and Doctorate degrees in Library and Information Science.

Throughout her career, Dr. Uchechukwu has occupied pivotal roles that have contributed significantly to the academic landscape. She served as the pioneer librarian at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University’s Igbariam campus in 2006, where she played an instrumental role in establishing the Igbariam campus library. Her dedication and expertise led her to be appointed as the Head of the Reference Section at the Medical Library (COUTH) in Awka, followed by her tenure as the Head of the Technical Services Department of the University Library.

Currently, Dr. Uchechukwu holds the esteemed position of Acting University Librarian at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, where she continues to demonstrate exemplary leadership and commitment to advancing the university’s academic resources.



Professionally, Dr. Uchechukwu is revered as a librarian par excellence, showcasing her expertise, dedication, and passion for library sciences. She is an active member of professional organizations such as the Nigerian Library Association and the Organization of Women in Science in the Developing World, highlighting her commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

On a personal note, Dr. Uchechukwu is known for her humility, cheerful disposition, and hardworking nature, qualities that resonate with her colleagues and students alike. She is happily married and blessed with wonderful children, balancing her professional and personal life with grace and resilience.