©COOUNewS Editorial
Two years ago, on the 5th of December 2023, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, made a historic statement in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University with the appointment of Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, fnipr as the Acting Vice-Chancellor.
Mr Governor sealed that historic statement with a confirmation of her appointment on the 5th August, 2025 back-dating it to when she assumed office in 2023, making her the 5th substantive Vice-Chancellor and the first female in history of the University to hold such exalted position.
Exactly Twenty-four months after that symbolic handover from Prof. Greg Nwakoby to Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, the entire University community proudly reflects on a leadership journey marked by courage, innovation and purposeful transformation.
What has unfolded within these two years is nothing short of remarkable despite all odds. It is a story of a University renewed under the guiding philosophy of Values, Viability and Visibility, the now famous – “3V’s” that have shaped every step and achievement of her administration towards cementing the institution as the Now and Future University.
From her first day in office, Professor Omenugha made it clear that COOU’s rebranding had to begin from its foundation. Her insistence on strengthening values has brought discipline, clearer regulatory processes and a more rigorous approach to academic culture.
For instance, the number of inaugural lectures has increased more than ever before from the 7th to the most recent 27th edition (and counting), academic standards have tightened significantly, and COOU now proudly positions its graduates as globally competitive. This renewed commitment to excellence has opened the door to national and global recognition, culminating in COOU’s enlistment in the Times Higher Education university evaluation system, which is an important move towards international ranking and visibility.
In two years, COOU has also witnessed its highest number of partnerships and collaborations in history. Agreements with BREDHUB, the Polish Embassy, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Kentucky State University, Nasarawa State University and many Erasmus related networks have expanded opportunities for research, training and academic exchange. Staff and students now take part in more local and international engagements, winning grants, joining mobility programmes and building a visible global footprint for the University.
Beyond academics, Professor Omenugha has shown an impressive understanding of sustainable development by fostering an environment where private investors now see COOU as a reliable destination. This confidence has led to wide infrastructural improvements across the campuses. The Elmeda Hostel has been completed, the ICT Innovation Centre has been delivered, the University Golden Gate now stands as a symbol of renewed identity, the Medical Laboratory building is ready, and multiple TETFund buildings are rapidly progressing. The Banquet Hall and various beautification efforts such as landscaping and environmental improvements have also enhanced the physical outlook of the institution.
One of the most inspiring achievements in the last two years is the rise of COOU as a productive and self sustaining institution. Under her administration, the University has become a lively centre for agro production and light manufacturing. The University Farm now produces food items sold at modest prices, supporting food security for staff and students. The production of bread, zobo, tiger nut drinks, liquid soaps, shampoos and other items reflects a University that is viable, innovative and responsive to economic realities.
Her commitment to transitioning COOU from an analogue to a digital institution has been firm and strategic. Digital administrative reforms, capacity building programmes and technology driven upgrades are now being implemented to strengthen the modernisation of the University. The ongoing upgrade of the ICT unit, the improved portal and the soon to be launched COOU App are important steps in this direction. The University has also embarked on a massive digitisation project to archive more than fifty thousand hard copy transcripts accumulated since the inception of COOU, ending long standing inefficiencies in transcript processing.
In the area of staff development, the administration launched the COOU Mentorship Clinique to support professional growth and prepare staff for more advanced academic responsibilities. A mandatory computer literacy programme is also in progress to ensure that all staff are ready for the full commencement of electronic administration come 2026.
Professor Omenugha also introduced the COOU Policy Dialogue Series set to commence on the 18th of December, 2025, a major intellectual platform that will bring academics, policy makers, professionals and students together to address contemporary issues and propose solutions for institutional and societal development. It is designed to become a flagship programme that reflects the leadership tone of COOU and enhances its intellectual presence both nationally and globally.
A major achievement in this period is the historic winning of the collaborative European Union Erasmus €400,000 DESIRED Grant for enhancing the employability of accounting graduates through work integrated learning. This is COOU’s first institutional international grant and has placed the University on the global research map. In addition, two professors of the University recently won a British Council £20,000 grant for a smart waste innovation project, further elevating the institution’s international profile.
Internally, the administration has created a long list of functional offices designed to strengthen operations, improve accountability and bring services closer to staff and students. These include the Research Integrity and Plagiarism Control Office, Students Competition Development Offices across campuses, Student Well being and Support, Student Conduct and Dress Code Offices, Students Accident Emergency and Safety Offices, Student Hostel Management, the Research Management Office, the Data and Statistics Office, the Grant Management and Development Office and the Investment and Fundraising Offices across campuses.
Others include the Project Monitoring Offices, Asset Identification and Restoration Offices, COOU Consultancy Services, the Career Development Office, Open and Distance Learning, COOU Business Ventures, COOU Volunteer Scheme, Environmental Vanguard Volunteers, the Sexual Harassment and Correction Offices, the Innovation and Emerging Technologies Office, the Prof Ben Nwabueze Centre for Constitutional Law and Advanced Legal Studies, the Centre for Learning and Teaching, Staff Teaching and Pedagogy Support, Academic Support Office, Orientation and Onboarding Office, the Welfare Support and Student Job Scheme as well as the establishment of the COOU Parents Forum.
To further strengthen the administrative structure, the office of a new Deputy Vice Chancellor for Development and Uli Campus Affairs, long approved but on hold has been implemented as a bold policy and administration move, improving coordination and service delivery at campus level.
The commencement of COOU Annual Awards has introduced a new culture of celebrating excellence among staff and students. The administration also began structured interviews for those seeking promotion to the rank of professor, ensuring transparency and raising the standard for academic elevation. The successful hosting of the five session combined convocation ceremony and the 25 year anniversary of the University remain major highlights of her administration.
In all of these, the evidence of transformation is clear. The growth of COOU in the past two years is visible to all except those who choose not to see. Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha has built a legacy of courage, purpose, and genuine service. As the University marks this two year milestone, it celebrates a leader who has not only changed the present but has laid a strong foundation for a future of greatness.
©COOUNewS, 2025!
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~ *Dr Harrison Madubueze*
