IAUE Joint Council-Senate Meeting Highlights Need for Facilities and Staffing for New Programmes

The Ignatius Ajuru University of Education convened its first-ever joint meeting of the 13th Governing Council and Senate on Monday, February 16, 2026, at the Postgraduate Hall, with discussions centered on the urgent need for improved facilities and staffing to support the University’s expanding academic programmes.

During the session, Senate Chairman, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, emphasized the necessity of upgrading infrastructure across IAUE’s three campuses and commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for its sustained support, noting that such interventions have been critical in keeping universities operational nationwide.

Vice-Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okey Onuchuku, encouraged staff to leverage TETFUND for research and urged everyone to think innovatively about contributing to the University’s growth, stressing that State Government resources alone are insufficient. Highlighting his personal contribution, he cited the Okey Onuchuku Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies building, funded through book launches, donations, and personal efforts, as an example of how staff and stakeholders can give back. He also advised deans to explore alternative power solutions in light of high electricity costs with inconsistent supply.

On staffing and annual leave, Professor Onuchuku affirmed that appointments followed due process, except in rare cases requiring replacement due to concerns about candidates’ integrity. He urged all staff to uphold professional conduct, warning that actions that damage the University’s reputation could have long-term effects on both the institution and its graduates.

Director of Academic Planning, Professor Joseph Kinanee, appealed for State Government support to recruit staff for IAUE’s new programmes, citing 75 undergraduate and 21 postgraduate programmes in need of qualified personnel for effective delivery and accreditation.

The Dean of Agriculture, Professor Godfrey Adokiye Kalio, expressed gratitude for ongoing faculty building projects and outlined plans to make Ndele Campus a hub for agricultural training. Professor Daniel Ndubuisi Ogum called on educators to view teaching as a vocation in service of humanity rather than a path to wealth, and requested housing facilities for Principal Officers on campus.

Other highlights included calls from Professor Kingdom Nwaenyi, Director of the Okey Onuchuku Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, for the creation of Deputy Vice-Chancellor positions; Professor Reginah Nchelem Azuwena, Head of Home Economics, Hospitality and Tourism, urged regulation of campus hawking to prevent food safety risks; Dr. Ben Nwekaela, Director of University Printing Press and Bookshop, recommended removing “Education” from the University’s name to reflect diverse academic disciplines and appealed for more male hostels. Heads of Departments also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage in strategic discussions and highlighted upcoming initiatives, including the March 2026 Energy Conference.

The Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman, Rt. Hon. Chinyere E. Igwe, stressed the importance of such meetings for cross-fertilization of ideas, collaboration, and public-private partnerships, noting that collective efforts would drive growth, enhance reputation, and attract necessary facilities to the University.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from all stakeholders to implement the recommendations and work collaboratively toward IAUE’s continued development and excellence.