Ortuanya Assumes Office As UNN VC

Prof Simon Ortuanya, Monday, assumed office as the 16th Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He took over from Prof Oguejiofor Ujam, who was appointed the acting VC of the university in February, 2025.

Ortuanya is a professor of law at Enugu State University of Science and Technology. He served as Secretary to the Enugu State Government (SSG) during the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. He was prior to his appointment by Ugwuanyi the Director-General of the South-East Governors’ Forum.

Meanwhile, some students of UNN, who interacted with THE WHISTLER, expressed hope that the new VC would use his wealth of experience to place UNN where it belongs.

Anselm Ozioko is a student of engineering faculty. He said, “I’m excited. Prof Ortuanya is the first VC of UNN from Nsukka cultural zone. Infrastructure at UNN, especially Nsukka campus, needs overhaul. Many hostels are dilapidated. The road networks also need rehabilitation. I’m optimistic that this is a new era.”

Sabinus Eze is a non-academic staffer of the university. He stated that the new VC, with his political background, is an added advantage to UNN.

In his words, “You can’t detach politics from anything in Nigeria. We hope he would use his networks to attract investors, donors and indeed government presence to UNN. He has a lot to do, and we hope that he would succeed.”

A retired staff member of the university, who refused to mention his name, stated that, “Prof Ortuanya has huge expectations. UNN is lagging behind in various ramifications. I retired from the Faculty of Engineering. The machines there are as old as the university. History will not forget him if he diligently puts things in order at UNN. The world is watching.”