AE-FUNAI Elects Six New Faculty Deans; VC to Appoint Deans for Health, Environmental Sciences, and Education

Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, AE-FUNAI, has elected new deans for six of its faculties following a peaceful and transparent exercise supervised by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Daniel Nwachukwu.

The election produced new academic leaders for the Faculties of Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Law, and Management Sciences.

In the Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Fabian Ugwu emerged Dean-elect after polling 71 of 131 accredited votes in a three-way contest. Prof. Otu Otu Akanu won the Faculty of Management Sciences with 37 votes out of 87 accredited voters, while Prof. Okechukwu Pius Aghamelu secured 63 of 101 votes to lead the Faculty of Physical Sciences.

Prof. Chinedu Eleazu was returned unopposed as Dean-elect of Biological Sciences with all 41 votes cast. Prof. Cyril Ume also emerged unopposed in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, securing all 35 votes. In the Faculty of Law, Prof. Sylvester Anya polled 17 of 18 votes to become Dean-elect.

The Faculty of Education did not produce a dean after members rejected the sole nominee, Prof. Rosemary Igbo, with 70 of 121 accredited voters voting against. In line with university regulations, the Vice-Chancellor will now appoint a dean for the faculty.

The Vice-Chancellor will also appoint deans for the Faculties of Health and Allied Sciences, and Environmental Sciences, citing the peculiar nature of the two faculties.

Commending the process, Prof. Nwachukwu described the elections as a demonstration of AE-FUNAI’s commitment to transparency, fairness, merit, and participatory governance. He urged the Deans-elect to provide visionary and inclusive leadership to advance teaching, research, innovation, and community service. He assured the three remaining faculties that their appointments would follow due process and be in the best interest of the university.

In their acceptance remarks, the Deans-elect pledged to lead with fairness, accountability, collaboration, and a focus on academic excellence, staff development, research, and industry partnerships.