From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Oguejiofo Ujam, has implored institutions of higher learning to purge their selves of ethnic bias, tiny cleavages, sectional considerations and narrow mindedness that have contributed in eroding the enabling condition for research, comparative studies and adaptive application of new knowledge.
Prof Ujam stated this after appointing Professor Kamoru Olayiwola Usman, as the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of the University.
On February 26, 2025 during his first address to the UNN Senate, Prof. Ujam described his appointment as “a collective demand on our individual contributions and collective responsibility to reposition the institution on a steady course towards ethical and innovative learning.”
He also reiterated his commitment to return UNN to its legendary status as a laboratory for human inquiry and inventions, adding that he would be firm, fair and transparent in the performance of duties.
Shortly after the first in history appointment of a DVC (Academics) of Yoruba extraction, the Ag. VC also appointed Dr. Mansur Adebowale Saddiq as the Acting Director of Medical Centre in UNN on March 20, 2025.
While congratulating the newly appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) and the Acting Director of Medical Centre, the Ag VC stressed that UNN must regain its pride of place as Nigeria’s premier university.
He had reminded the members of the University Senate that he has a mandate to work with them within the six-month timeframe to reposition the university ethically and academically.
The Ag VC charged the Senate and members of the University community to join hands with him “to purge the school system of tiny cleavages, sectional considerations and narrow mindedness that have contributed in eroding the enabling condition for research, comparative studies and adaptive application of new knowledge.”
He maintained that UNN should not be found wanting in the current technological contest defined by the rivalry between Open Artificial Intelligence and DeepSeek, stressing that “Good a thing, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the governor of Enugu, the host state of UNN, has been advocating the transition to experiential learning.
Prof. Usman, who takes over from Prof. Urama, holds a Ph.D in Mathematics Education and served as the Provost of Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo State from August 2015 through 2023.
A member of National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies and a fellow of Mathematical Association of Nigeria, the new DVC belongs to a number of professional bodies, including Association of Promoting Quality Education in Nigeria (APQEN), Curriculum Organisation of Nigeria (CON), Fulbright Alumni, Nigerian Educational Research Association (NERA), Science Teacher Association of Nigeria (STAN) and World Council for Curriculum and Instruction (WCCI).
He commended the Governing Council of the University led by Engr. Olubunmi Kayode Ojo for their support and dedication to catering for staff welfare, imaginative infrastructure development and innovative planning.
Prof. Usman’s appointment, which is for two years in the first instance, is renewable for another two-year stint, has been heralded by stakeholders in the University, especially scholars and students from diverse ethnic and racial groups, as inspiring.