COOU VC, Prof Omenugha Declares Legacy Ambition Says She Wants History to Record a Woman Transformed the University

The Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University COOU Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha has declared that her defining goal in office is to ensure that history clearly records that a woman led and transformed the institution during her tenure.

She made the statement on Thursday April 23 2026 during an interactive session with students held at the ETF Auditorium Igbariam Campus as part of activities marking the universitys 16th Convocation Week.

Speaking in a reflective and direct tone the Vice Chancellor said her leadership is driven by a clear long term vision rather than routine administrative duty stressing that she is intentional about the legacy she is building in the university.

According to her the transformation agenda underway at COOU is structured around measurable reforms in academic standards institutional visibility infrastructure development and student welfare systems

Since assuming office as the 5th substantive Vice Chancellor and the first female to hold the position at COOU she noted that several reforms have been initiated including the digitization of over 55000 academic transcripts improvements in institutional systems and ongoing efforts to reposition the university for global academic competitiveness.

She also highlighted the introduction of a structured five year strategic plan which she described as the foundation guiding all ongoing reforms and future development targets of the institution.

Prof Omenugha emphasized that the plan is not symbolic but operational serving as a framework for accountability continuity and measurable institutional progress beyond her tenure.

She further noted that attention has been placed on strengthening environmental standards campus infrastructure and student protection mechanisms which she described as central to building a functional and responsible academic environment.

Beyond institutional reforms the Vice Chancellor underscored the significance of her leadership as a historic milestone particularly for gender representation in higher education leadership in Nigeria.

She stated that her ambition goes beyond administrative success adding that she wants female students and future leaders to see her tenure as proof that leadership positions at the highest level are attainable regardless of gender.

In a strongly personal remark she affirmed her intention clearly stating that she wants it recorded in history that a woman led and transformed the university.

The session ended with her reiterating commitment to students welfare institutional development and the continuity of reforms aimed at repositioning COOU as a more visible and competitive academic institution both nationally and internationally.