Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, a distinguished academic and former Enugu State Commissioner for Education, has been appointed as the 16th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). His appointment marks a historic milestone, as he becomes the first indigene of the Nsukka cultural zone to assume the university’s top leadership position since its establishment in the 1950s.
The university’s spokesperson, Agha Inya, confirmed the development in a statement released Sunday night. He disclosed that the Governing Council of UNN ratified the appointment following a rigorous, transparent, and merit based selection process chaired by Engr. Kayode Ojo, Chairman of the Council.
“The university community congratulates Professor Ortuanya on his appointment and looks forward to a new era of academic excellence and transformational leadership,” the statement read.
Professor Ortuanya is a professor of law at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). He served as Enugu State Commissioner for Education from 2007 to 2015 under the administration of former Governor Sullivan Chime. In 2017, he was appointed Director General of the South East Governors’ Forum, and in 2019, he became the Secretary to the Enugu State Government under former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
He hails from Ohodo in Igbo Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, one of the communities within the Nsukka cultural zone.
For decades, the people of Nsukka despite hosting one of the country’s most prestigious universities have advocated for the appointment of an indigene as Vice Chancellor. Professor Ortuanya’s emergence is therefore seen as both symbolic and significant.
His appointment is expected to usher in a renewed focus on academic development, institutional reforms, and regional inclusion in the university’s governance.
