By Damian Chigozie Ezeonyejiaku
The appointment of Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh as the 7th Substantive Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka by the University’s Governing Council on Tuesday 29th October, 2024 and the subsequent handover ceremony on Wednesday 30th October, 2024 would settle the dust on the months of struggle for the position of the University’s headship.
The Vice-Chancellor’s position became vacant in June, 2024, following the completion of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Okechukwu Esimone’s tenure.
Prof. B.I. Odoh was born on 5th August, 1975. He is married with two children.
Prof. Odoh is a triple Alumnus of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, having bagged his first Degree in Geological Sciences, Msc in Applied Geophysics and PhD in Applied Geophysics all from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
He rose through the ranks in his career and was assessed and promoted to the rank of full Professor of Applied Geophysics of Federal University of Gusau in 2015.
He has served the University in different capacities as Director, Centre for Water Resources Research for the Southeast, UNIZIK; Coordinator, UNIZIK Seismic Observatory Station; and Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor on Academic Matters, to mention but a few.
Some of his noteworthy accomplishments include;
* Attraction of about $1.7m donation to Nnamdi Azikiwe University from Schlumberger.
* He pioneered the first ever CBT UTME in UNIZIK as Special Assistant to the vice chancellor on academic matters in 2014;
* He secured a 150 million naira World Bank grant to establish the national water resources capacity building network in Unizik;
* Founded Nnamdi Azikiwe University Earthquake Monitoring Center;
* He led Nnamdi Azikiwe University to win the 1st Prize Imperial Barrel Award African Championship in 2013;
* He secured N2Billion funding for rice production as Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government;
* He secured a N450Milloin grant from the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) for Industrial Raw Materials Characterization and Database Management.
With his new appointment as the 7th Substantive Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Odoh envisions to position Nnamdi Azikiwe University as Nigeria’s premier institution for producing market ready graduates and advancing cutting-edge research.
Prof. Odoh’s vision for UNIZIK is encapsulated in his 5-point agenda, namely:
* Industry-Aligned Curriculum
* Innovation and Entrepreneurship
* Digital Skills Development
* Research and Development Focus
* Career Readiness.
Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh is a distinguished Scholar with over 132 scientific publications in reputable national and international journals, forward thinking and visionary leader who has evidently grown through the ranks to his current position.
The University community is filled with joy and jubilation on the announcement of Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh as the 7th substantive Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK. His appointment has brought hope to the staff and students of the university yearning for good governance and development of the university.
May God bless Unizik and our new Vice-Chancellor.
