In a groundbreaking development, the Governing Council of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has appointed Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya as the new Vice-Chancellor of the institution. His emergence marks a historic moment, as he becomes the first person from Enugu North Senatorial District, also known as the Nsukka Zone, to ascend to the university’s highest office since its establishment in 1960.
Professor Ortuanya, a distinguished scholar and Professor of Law at UNN, brings a rich blend of academic excellence and public service experience to the role. He previously served as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) under the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi, and also held the position of Director General of the South East Governors’ Forum, where he played a critical role in regional policy coordination and strategic engagement.
The appointment, confirmed after a rigorous selection process by the University Council, has been widely celebrated across Enugu State and beyond, especially by the Nsukka people, who share a deep cultural and historical bond with the university.
For decades, stakeholders from Enugu North had consistently advocated for indigenous representation in the university’s leadership. Despite hosting the main campus of Nigeria’s first indigenous university, no individual from the district had ever held the office of Vice-Chancellor until now.
Professor Ortuanya’s appointment is being hailed as a significant milestone for fairness, inclusion, and the recognition of the contributions of the Nsukka people to the growth of the university, which has never produced a Vice Chancellor of the University in the last 65 years.
Known for his administrative acumen and dedication to educational advancement, Prof. Otuanya is expected to bring visionary leadership to UNN, focusing on academic excellence, infrastructural development, and institutional reform.
In his first official remarks, the incoming Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to the university community and reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the legacy of the institution’s founding fathers.
“This is not just a personal honour,” he said, “it is a victory for all who believe in merit, equity, and the promise of education as a tool for national transformation.”
Professor Ortuanya will assume office later this year, succeeding the outgoing Vice-Chancellor upon the completion of their tenure.
