Prof. Ursula Akanwa Assumes Office as 7th Vice-Chancellor of MOUAU Following Historic Transition
Prof. Ursula Akanwa Assumes Office as 7th Vice-Chancellor of MOUAU Following Historic Transition
UmarFarouk123 
The 7th Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa has assumed office today, March 1, 2026, following a successful handover by the 6th Vice-Chancellor Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe.
Prof. Iwe handed over the management of the University to Prof. Akanwa during a Valedictory Governing Council Meeting in his honour, marking the end of his tenure on February 28, 2026.
During the ceremony, Prof. Iwe thanked the University Community for working with him to lay a foundation on which the University could excel in several fronts. He specifically thanked some persons who prayed frantically for him to have a successor. He expressed his gratitude to God and the Governing Council for appointing one of his deputies to lead the University as Vice-Chancellor.
In her response, Prof. Akanwa appreciated the Almighty God for finding her worthy to emerge tops among other candidates in the race to the top job in the University. She specifically thanked the Governing Council led by Comrade Fidelis C Edeh for conducting a transparent and fair appointment process, which led to her emergence on February 20, 2026.
Prof. Akanwa pledged to run an inclusive administration and appealed to all staff, including those who contested the post of Vice-Chancellor with her, to bring in their ideas for the development of the University, adding that she hopes to look back after 5 years and testify that she left the University better than she met it.
"The joy of every parent is to see his or her child grow to become greater. I want to leave Umudike in 5 years better than I met it today. I therefore appeal to every staff member to join hands with me as we work together to take MOUAU to a higher level of excellence, Prof. Akanwa said.
MOUAU News reports that the University Management has invited all staff of the University to a meeting to receive the 7th Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, on Monday, March 2, 2026 by 10am in the Modern Public Lecture Theatre.
