The 7th Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, has officially assumed office today, March 1, 2026, following a seamless handover ceremony from her predecessor, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe .
The transition took place during a Valedictory Governing Council Meeting held in honour of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, marking the formal end of Prof. Iwe’s tenure on February 28, 2026 .
During the ceremony, Prof. Iwe expressed profound gratitude to the university community for their support throughout his tenure. He acknowledged the collective effort required to lay a foundation upon which the university could excel on multiple fronts. He specifically thanked individuals who, he said, prayed fervently for him to have a worthy successor.
“I am grateful to God and the Governing Council for appointing one of my deputies to lead this university forward,” Prof. Iwe stated .
In her maiden address as Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Akanwa thanked the Almighty God for finding her worthy to emerge top among other candidates in the race for the university’s highest administrative office. She extended special appreciation to the Governing Council, led by Comrade Fidelis C. Edeh, for conducting what she described as a transparent and fair appointment process, which culminated in her emergence on February 20, 2026 .
Prof. Akanwa pledged to run an inclusive administration and extended an olive branch to all staff members, including those who contested the position alongside her. She urged them to bring their ideas forward for the collective development of the university .
“The joy of every parent is to see his or her child grow to become greater. I want to leave Umudike in five years better than I met it today. I therefore appeal to every staff member to join hands with me as we work together to take MOUAU to a higher level of excellence,” Prof. Akanwa said .
According to MOUAU News, the university management has invited all staff to a meeting to formally receive the 7th Vice-Chancellor. The event is scheduled for Monday, March 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Modern Public Lecture Theatre .
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