AE-FUNAI appoints Professor Daniel Nwachukwu as Vice Chancellor to drive research excellence, staff welfare, and institutional growth

Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, has appointed Professor Daniel Nwachukwu as its fourth substantive Vice Chancellor, the institution announced on Saturday, December 20, 2025, following a rigorous and transparent selection process.

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The University’s Governing Council confirmed the appointment after deliberations involving over 40 seasoned professors who participated in the screening and evaluation process.

Professor Nwachukwu, a distinguished academic and Professor of Cardiovascular Physiology at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), brings extensive administrative and research experience.

He previously served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UNEC in 2023, contributing significantly to academic planning and institutional development.

In his acceptance remarks, Professor Nwachukwu pledged to prioritise staff welfare and promote an inclusive leadership style based on integrity and empathy.

He expressed commitment to advancing AE-FUNAI’s growth through collaboration, innovation, and strengthened academic standards.

“The challenges ahead are significant, but I am confident that unity, creativity, and determination will enable us to transform obstacles into opportunities,” he said.

“We will enhance research excellence, improve academic visibility, and build on the university’s foundations to achieve greater national and global recognition.”

During the handover ceremony, outgoing Vice Chancellor Professor Sunday Elom highlighted milestones achieved under his administration.

He noted that research output increased substantially, with staff publishing in high-impact journals and attracting both local and international grants.

Professor Elom also reported growth in the university’s academic structure. Faculties increased from 11 to 14, departments from 41 to 54, and academic programmes from 57 to 64.

Student enrolment rose from approximately 9,000 to nearly 14,000 students, reflecting the institution’s expanding educational reach.

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The leadership transition marks a new chapter for AE-FUNAI, with stakeholders anticipating continuity in academic excellence, infrastructural development, and institutional reforms under Professor Nwachukwu’s stewardship.