COOU Appoints Prof. Obiora Shedrack Ejiofor as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics

Professor Obiora Shedrack Ejiofor, a distinguished physician, academic, and administrator, has been elected Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU).

Born in 1967 in Uke, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, to the family of the late Mr. Samuel and late Mrs. Eunice Ejiofor, he completed his secondary education at Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha, in 1985.

Prof. Ejiofor gained admission in 1988 as one of the pioneer students of the College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, where he studied Medicine and Surgery, graduating in 1996. Following his housemanship at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, and National Youth Service in Lagos, he pursued postgraduate residency in Paediatrics at UNTH, earning the Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians in 2006. He later served as Consultant Paediatrician with the Anambra State Health Management Board and the COOU Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka.

His academic career advanced with the establishment of the COOU College of Medicine, where he was appointed Foundation Head of the Department of Paediatrics (2009–2012) and later held leadership positions including Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), and Chairman of the Ethical Clearance Committee. He also served as Programme Manager of the Anambra State Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease (2013–2017) and Chairman of the Drug Revolving Fund. Prof. Ejiofor was promoted to Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2018.

Twice elected as Dean, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, he has represented COOU at national and international academic forums and has published over 50 research papers in reputable medical journals. His research interests include child health, infectious diseases, and clinical oncology, culminating in a Ph.D. in Clinical Oncology from COOU in 2022. He serves as an external examiner in Paediatrics to several universities and is an active member of professional bodies including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Paediatrics Association of Nigeria (PAN), and Sickle Cell Support Society of Nigeria (SCSSN).

Prof. Ejiofor is married to Mrs. Uju Ejiofor, and they are blessed with six children. With his election as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), he brings to COOU extensive experience, deep institutional knowledge, and a commitment to excellence in medical education and university development.