UNN Announces 251st Inaugural Lecture by Professor George Onyemaechi Ugwu

The University of Nigeria (UNN) has announced the 251st Inaugural Lecture of the institution, to be delivered by Professor George Onyemaechi Ugwu, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

The lecture, organised under the auspices of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, SJD, FCIArb, FCIA, will hold on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. WAT at the UNN Business School Auditorium, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

The robing and procession will begin at 12 noon.

Professor Ugwu will deliver the lecture titled, “The Mother, the Child and the State: My Triumphant Journey from Evidence to Action.”

Members of the university community and the general public are invited to attend the lecture, which will also be available virtually via Zoom.

Zoom link: https://bit.ly/251STINAUGURALLECTURE

Meeting ID: 977 2841 6966

Passcode: 251st

In the lecture, Professor Ugwu will trace his journey from confronting the realities of maternal and neonatal mortality to translating evidence into practical interventions.

Driven by the need to move beyond asking why maternal and newborn deaths occur to identifying what can be done to prevent them, Professor Ugwu has pursued evidence-based solutions aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes.

His career has taken him from clinical practice and research into health advocacy, public health leadership and policy, where evidence has been translated into programmes, interventions and measurable impact.

With more than 70 scholarly publications and scientific outputs, Professor Ugwu demonstrates the importance of translating research findings into practical action capable of saving lives, influencing policy and transforming health systems.

About the Lecturer

Professor George Onyemaechi Ugwu is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, public health physician, researcher, health advocate and health-system leader whose career spans clinical medicine, medical education, research, professional leadership and health governance.

He is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Nigeria and Chief Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.

He holds MBBS, MPH, FWACS, FMCOG and FICS qualifications and has authored more than 70 scholarly works and scientific outputs.

Professor Ugwu is a former Associate Dean of Students Affairs, College of Medicine, UNN, and former Examiner of the National Postgraduate Medical College. He has also held several professional leadership positions, including President of the Association of Resident Doctors, UNTH, and Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Enugu State Branch.

He later served as Executive Secretary/CEO of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency and Chairman of its State Health Advisory Board.

He currently serves as Honourable Commissioner for Health and was recently appointed to the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Response and Preparedness.

From clinical medicine to public policy, Professor Ugwu has dedicated his career to advancing maternal and child health and translating evidence into action to strengthen health systems and save lives.

The lecture booklet is available for N2,000. Those interested in subscriptions from outside Nsukka are advised to contact Ogechukwu on +234-7032043667.

The programme of activities includes the robing of the lecturer at the DVC’s office at 12 noon, a photo session at the UNN Business School at 12:20 p.m., and the procession to the auditorium at 12:50 p.m. The lecture will commence at 1:00 p.m. and is expected to last one hour.

For RSVP and further enquiries, members of the public may contact Professor Ozioma Onuzulike, Chairman, Senate Ceremonials Committee, UNN, on +234-8064566346 or ozioma.onuzulike@unn.edu.ng.