Prof. Daniel Nwachukwu, the forth Vice-Chancellor of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), has assumed duty.
The professor of Cardiovascular Physiology took over from Prof. Sunday Elom, the institution’s third Vice-Chancellor at a ceremony held at Prof. Chinedu Nwajiuba Senate building at the university’s campus on Tuesday at Ikwo, Ikwo Local Government Area, Ebonyi state.
Nwachukwu’s appointment as the institution’s new VC followed the successful completion of the five-year tenure of Elom on February 10, 2026.
Elom was appointed Vice-Chancellor on January 10, 2021 by the University’s Governing Council and formally assumed duty on 11 February 2021, after taking over from the second substantive Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chidi Aja-Nwachukwu.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Elom expressed gratitude to God and appreciation to the university’s principal officers; management, staff, students and student leaders for their support throughout his administration.
He also commended the Governing Council for its consistent backing and thanked the University’s Chancellor, His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, for his fatherly guidance.
He noted that his administration inherited numerous challenges in 2021 but recorded remarkable achievements through collective effort.
According to him, the university strengthened its academic programmes, improved physical infrastructure on the main campus and at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTHA), and significantly enhanced its research capacity.
The former VC disclosed that all academic programmes of the university received approval and accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and relevant professional bodies.
He highlighted the resolution of accreditation challenges in the Law, Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) programmes, with approvals secured from the Council of Legal Education and full accreditation granted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
“Consequently, AE-FUNAI’s pioneer law graduates are currently in Law School, while pioneer MBBS graduates are expected to be inducted as medical doctors in March 2025,” Elom said.
He further revealed that the university presented 35 programmes for NUC accreditation,
securing 34 full accreditations and one interim accreditation in Agribusiness and Management.
He said that Engineering programmes were accredited by Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), while Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) accredited Accounting department.
He said that the results for the Architecture accreditation by the Architecture Registration Council Nigeria (ARCON) were being awaited.
“Under my leadership, the university expanded from 11 to 14 faculties, 41 to 54 departments, and 57 to 64 academic programmes.
“Student enrolment grew from about 9,000 to 14,000; investment in ICT also improved transparency in Students’ Union Government elections, ensuring sustained peace on campus,” he added.
Elom added that AE-FUNAI recorded significant growth in research output, with academics ranked among the top two per cent scientists globally by Elsevier-Stanford.
“The university was also ranked for the first time by Times Higher Education, emerging 4th in Nigeria in Impact Rankings.”
In his acceptance speech, Professor Daniel Nwachukwu thanked the Federal Government and the Governing Council for the confidence reposed in him and praised his predecessor for laying a strong foundation.
The VC, a former deputy vice-chancellor of University of Nigeria, Enugu campus pledged to consolidate existing gains and promote inclusive leadership, academic excellence, research innovation, and staff and student welfare.
He called on all stakeholders to support his administration assuring that he was committed to leading with integrity, empathy and clear vision for the collective growth of the university.
“We have challenges ahead but I believe that with unity, creativity and determination, we can turn those challenges into opportunities.
“Together, we will build the university, embrace innovation and move the institution to greater heights,” Nwachukwu said.
The highpoints of the ceremony was the formal handover of instruments of authority including the university Seal and the Senate Maze including prayers for the consecration of the new administration by Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka. ENDS//
