Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University VC Seat: The Contenders and the Odds

By Azuka Okoli, PhD

As we speak, a very hot contest is going on at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, formerly, Anambra State University, for the eventual emergence of the University’s substantive Vice Chancellor. The contest, which has about seven contenders, can be narrowed down to the following four persons; Professor Uchechukwu Vincent Okpala of the Department of Physics, Prof. Patrick Chike Osegbue of the Department of Political Science, Professor Leonard Nnaemeka Onuba of the Department of Geology and Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, the University’s Acting Vice Chancellor.

In some sense, this assessment has become necessary because the university ought to reflect the highest possible standards and force of social change that forms the compass with which the larger community is x-rayed. Put differently, the University ought to set a moral code; a general sense of duty, and a pattern that influences the larger community. In perspective, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University is crucial in evaluating what is right and wrong with Anambra State. Therefore, what happens during an important exercise as the process of the selection of the Vice Chancellor of the University matters, fundamentally. Both how – the process, and who emerged eventually, are essential elements that shape Anambra towards the desired direction that the State must go in the best interest of the public good.

So far, the process in that election set by the Council Chairman of the University, Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, leaves more to be desired. For instance, he kept the contest open without baselines. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University might be the only University in the world as of today, that does not place any demand on the qualities and certain specifics required to occupy the position of Vice Chancellor of a University. To buttress, the application for Vice Chancellor of a university is often tied to the applicant’s years of experience as a professor, proficiency in research and academic activities, experience in leadership positions, value added to the University in terms of what he or she has attracted or is capable of attracting to the Institution, social capital, global competitiveness of applicant, among other considerations. But at COOU, the only thing required to contest the position was just for the applicant to be a professor. This is both odd and strange given the enormous responsibilities attached to the office. A visionary and prepared Vice Chancellor with a global worldview, social reach, and academic competence, can transform Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University into a force of change in Anambra State. Therefore, to be casual in this process, without any deliberate stopgaps in the selection process speaks to a deliberate reduction of this important procedure to an all-comers affair. No system can produce the desired leadership through such a causal and unrestrained process.

But in any case, let us now take some time to look at the contenders for the position of Vice Chancellor at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, and assess their suitability for the leadership of such an Institution in a State like Anambra, at a time like this.

Uchechukwu Vincent Okpala: Professor of Physics at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. The easiest way in today’s world to access one’s footprints is by a simple search on Google or AI. As of today, Embassies rely on internet footprints to decide if an applicant is deserving of a visa to their country. For scholars, presence on Google Scholar is the very least evidence of their scholarly competence. However, a look at the Google Scholar page of Professor Okpala showed that the last time he published an article was in 2021. This is like saying that the last time a businessman made a business deal was four years ago. Without belabouring the fact, such a businessman is obviously out of business. Similarly, if a trader in scholarship has not produced any scholarly material in many years, he can’t be considered to still be in the scholarship trade. More so, that a scholar can go on for over four full years without research or any rigorous article from him further suggests that he apparently no longer has something to offer. But even more, the Google Scholar page of Professor Uchechukwu showed that he has just about 61 citations. His profile on Google Scholar can be accessed here: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=xJ0uzqMAAAAJ&hl=en.

Worst still, Professor Uchechukwu Okpala has zero presence on Scopus, a globally recognized interdisciplinary scientific indexing platform for scholars whose works meet global standards. But, somehow, he wants to be the Vice Chancellor of an important and strategic University like Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

Patrick Chike Osegbue: Professor Patrick Chike Osegbue is of the Department of Political Science at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. According to his Google Scholar profile, Chike Osegbue is a professor of Political Economy and Development Studies. He has only 31 citations and was last published in 2018. In the last five years, Professor Chike Osegbue has not made any indexed publications. He has not appeared anywhere in any part of the world to deliver an important address on any noteworthy event. Also, he has not gone anywhere to make a paper presentation on politics, political economy, and development conversations which are on the front burner both locally and internationally. His Google Scholar profile can be perused here: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=6rd1h6sAAAAJ&hl=en

More troubling, Professor Chike Osegbue has zero presence on Scopus. This is a verdict to the effect that he has not produced an article that meets the global standards of Scopus. Yet, in a way, he believes he is suitable to lead a University in this age and time. What would be his grounds to measure up at international forums? In fact, how would he be able to be identified and invited to an important global gathering that will give the university the required footprint and visibility?

Leonard Nnaemeka Onuba: Professor Leonard Nnaemeka Onuba is of the Department of Geology, at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. A look at his Google Scholar page shows he is a proficient scholar with 480 citations. His latest publication was made in 2025. Professor Leonard’s Google Scholar page shows a level of seriousness that is lacking in the other profiles so far. His profile can be accessed here: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=u70A_DAAAAAJ&hl=en

To demonstrate his global quality scholarly works, Professor Leonard Onuba has a presence on Scopus. However, beyond his scholarly articles, there is no evidence that he is bridging any gap in society with his scholarship. His social capital appears to be very insignificant and his reach appears quite small in terms of engagements outside his scholarship enclave. For instance, even on YouTube, a global data page for all videos and various engagements, Onuba has zero presence. He has no real space in the real world and it is doubtful that he can monster the influence to lead a university in this age and time and meet the challenges of COOU in today’s world.

Kate Azuka Omenugha: Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, second Nigerian female professor of Mass Communications, is the Acting Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. With a strong presence on Google Scholar, amassing about 754 citations, Professor Omenugha, in scholarship, easily outpaced her fellow contenders for the Vice Chancellor of the university by a remarkable margin. To demonstrate her quality as a global scholar, Omenugha has a solid presence on Scopus, among other global scholarship rating platforms. Her profile on Google Scholar can be seen here: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=P8gDzPoAAAAJ&hl=en

Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha is also the only contender out of the four examined who has a Wikipedia page, further demonstrating her formidable position as a scholar with global acquaintance. On YouTube, her presence dates back to over a decade ago featuring her diverse media appearances on television to discuss issues of public interest on several topics. This strongly shows Madam Omenugha’s solid drive to bridge the gap between scholarly relevance and meeting real societal needs. Omenugha served meritoriously as Anambra’s Commissioner for Education for the longest time in the State’s history and during these years, she introduced innovative teaching and learning techniques during the COVID-19 experience. Her tenure as Education Commissioner in Anambra State remains the ‘golden age’ of education in Anambra State with different academic laurels accruing to the state. Appointed as the Acting Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University about nineteen months ago, by the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Professor Kate Omenugha has given more than a brilliant account of her stewardship and confidence reposed in her by the governor. Leveraging her extensive social capital, Professor Omenugha has been driving COOU as a modern institution, pushing for, and gaining global partnerships, fellowship, funding, and recognition. So far, not only that she has attracted several infrastructures to the school, but she has also changed the culture of the institution, quietly transforming it into a clean and healthy learning environment for teachers, staff, and students.

Here we have it and as the timeless saying goes; one cannot give what s/he does not have. In the final analysis, here presented unfiltered, are the people who are the major contenders for the number one position at the Anambra-owned University. If our goal is to attain the governor’s vision of a prosperous homeland for Anambra State, then, we must deploy nothing but our very best in all sensitive positions, especially at the University. This is considering that the University is the purveyor of knowledge, dreams, and incubator of the state’s present and future managers.