UNIZIK Appoints Corporate Titan Valentine Ozigbo as Visiting Associate Professor

 In a bold move to blend academic rigor with practical expertise, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has welcomed celebrated Nigerian business leader and governance advocate, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, as a Visiting Associate Professor at its Business School. 

The appointment aims to give students first-hand access to insights from one of the country’s most accomplished corporate executives.

The university said the decision reflects its growing commitment to ensuring that graduate programmes, especially the MBA, prepare students to navigate the complex realities of leading modern organisations in both the public and private sectors.

Prof. Bond Ugochukwu Anyaehie, Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, emphasized that integrating seasoned professionals into the classroom strengthens the learning experience.

According to him ,Universities achieve their greatest impact when knowledge meets experience noting that "Mr. Ozigbo’s career in corporate leadership and governance will offer students invaluable lessons in leadership and ethics from someone who has applied them at the highest levels.

Mr Ozigbo, the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, brings more than three decades of leadership experience across Nigeria’s financial and corporate sectors. His career includes key roles at Transcorp Hotels Plc, United Bank for Africa, Diamond Bank, and Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank), where he earned recognition for institutional leadership, governance reforms, and strategic transformation.

Beyond corporate leadership, Ozigbo is also a prominent voice in civic engagement and public policy, advocating for ethical governance and principled leadership in both business and public service.

Prof. Pius Okoye, Director of UNIZIK Business School, said the appointment allows students to connect theory with practice stating that 

leadership and ethics form the foundation of sustainable organisations. 

Responding , Mr Ozigbo described the role as an opportunity to invest in the next generation of Nigerian leaders. stating that leadership is about responsibility, integrity, and service,

According to him it is a privilege to engage with students who will shape the future of our institutions and our country. If my experience can strengthen ethical leadership, it is a worthwhile endeavor.

While honoured with multiple awards, including the Seven Star Leadership Award (2025), an honorary doctorate from Tansi University, and traditional chieftaincy titles, Ozigbo prefers the simplicity of being addressed as Mr.

He mantained that "Titles are appreciated, but what matters most is the work we do in service to society,

The pro bono appointment, effective February 12, 2026, will see Ozigbo teaching Organisational Leadership and Ethics, sharing practical perspectives on governance, institutional responsibility, and the challenges of leading large organisations in a dynamic global environment.