ESUT Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, Wins 2026 'Pillar of Education in Nigeria' Award

An erudite scholar and Political Scientist of immense pedigree, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, who is also the current Vice Chancellor of the renowned Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), has won this year's prestigious Pillar of Education in Nigeria (PEN) Award of the Nigeria Democracy Awards for Leadership & Symposium (NiDALS) Summit. 

The declaration follows the recently concluded nomination, screening and in-depth assessment procedures to determine the most outstanding and best contributor, among leaders and stakeholders in the education sector, to educational development, advancement and growth in recent years for the coveted PEN Award category of the NiDALS Summit , a pan-Nigerian, pro-democracy national leadership development roundtable and honours event, aimed at deepening sustainable democratic progress, national development and economic prosperity through recognising and promoting good governance , accountability, innovation and excellence in all facets of the Nigerian State, with a view to leading an African model for democracy and institutional stability.

Oganised by the continental media giant, AfricanStride International Media Group, ASIMGROUP, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie's commitment to education, research and development since joining the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) as a lecturer, has been phenomenal and unrelenting. As a scholar, Professor Okolie has contributed numerous volumes of books and research works to political science and contemporary studies in Nigeria and Africa. Professor Okolie was the National Director of Research of the Nigerian Political Science Association before later becoming the President of the Association and remains, till date, a member of its Board of Trustees.

An advocate of educational excellence, development and consistent growth, Professor Okolie's appointment as VC of ESUT since 2022 has seen him drive extensive reforms aimed at repositioning the institution. His key achievements span academic expansion, infrastural development and administrative reforms. Notably, Professor Okolie's impacts have seen the ESUT risen in research output, reaching a solid top-50% performance across 12 research topics. 

In addition, Professor Okolie has significantly expanded admission quotas for highly-sought-after courses like Medicine and Surgery (from 50 to 240), Nursing Sciences (from 50 to 100) and, Medical Laboratory Science (from 30 to 180). He has also spearhead the creation of 5 new departments, including Mechatronics Engineering, Statistics, History and International Studies. Professor Okolie also successfully relocated the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences to its permanent site in Agbani; oversaw the construction of a multi-mullion naira asphalted pavillion and; improved electricity and water supply on campus with solar installations in the VC's office, among others.

It is against this remarkable track records and excellent scorecard that Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie' is declared winner of the PEN AWARD at the 2026 NiDALS Summit.The event which holds in Abuja in late June will witness the grand unveiling of frontline Nigerian leaders across sectors and facets of the national life from the political class, public and private sectors to leading traditional leaders whose dedication to nation building , institutional growth, national progress and development continues to instill hopes in Nigeria's democratic, political and economic future.