UNN, Prof. Ortuanya And The Rest of Us
By Samson Ezea
University of Nigeria, Nsukka is symbolic, monumental, and historic. The name says it all. It remains the only University of Nigeria—others are simply University of this or that, depending on their location and localisation.
Established more than six decades ago, the University stands out both in name and in quality. One remarkable reality, however, is that the leadership trajectory of the institution never recognized or favoured any “son of the soil.” At a time, it neither considered nor recognized any indigene of Enugu State, where it is situated, let alone a person of Nsukka extraction.
That remained the situation for years at the Ivory Tower, until the then Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, broke the jinx by leveraging his connection with the Presidency to facilitate the emergence of Chinedu Nebo, from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, as the first Vice-Chancellor of UNN from Enugu State.
After Nebo, his kinsman, Bartho Okolo, succeeded him, courtesy of the then Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, who hails from the same local government area as both men. Thereafter, the situation relapsed again.
Those who saw and assumed that the Vice-Chancellorship of the University was their entitlement and birthright regained control and continued to run the institution as it pleased them and their godfathers. Facilities deteriorated. Corruption reigned supreme and became normalized. Nobody spoke up, and nobody complained.
The once-renowned citadel of academic excellence, first among equals, began to struggle for relevance in the comity of universities.
For several years, the people of Nsukka made appeals and agitated to produce a Vice-Chancellor, but their calls were neither heeded nor considered necessary. This was despite the fact that Enugu North Senatorial Zone (Nsukka) arguably has the highest number of seasoned academics, including renowned professors, across the three senatorial zones in the state. The people cried out, but no one listened.
When it appeared that all hope had been lost, the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, stepped in and took the bull by the horns. Through his intervention, and with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a new chapter was opened.
A renowned legal scholar and public administrator, Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, emerged as the first indigenous Nsukka son to become Vice-Chancellor of UNN.
This did not come without resistance. The same forces that had long believed, erroneously and delusionally, that the leadership of the University belonged to them and their unborn generations fought back. Not because Prof. Ortuanya lacked qualification, far from it. He is more than qualified, with a sterling track record and vast experience as an academic and public servant. But vested interests chose to feign otherwise.
Since then, there have been all sorts of social media fabrications, mudslinging, misgivings, and antagonism against Prof. Ortuanya’s administration, often resembling the “voice of Esau and the hands of Jacob.”
Unfortunately, some uninformed and mischievous individuals from Enugu North Senatorial Zone have allowed themselves to be used as pawns by these detractors and naysayers.
This is despite the visible and impactful developmental strides recorded under his leadership, including road and hostel reconstruction, improved water supply, human capacity development, academic strengthening, and institutional repositioning, efforts that have restored value and dignity to the University within a short period.
Recently, a piece of good news made the rounds on social media. In a statement by Professor Christopher Bismarck Eke, Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, titled “UNN: MDCN Reaccreditation Outcome,” it was announced that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), following a rigorous reaccreditation exercise on March 27, 2026, approved an increase in the University’s medical school carrying capacity to 400.
With this development, the University of Nigeria now has the highest approved training quota for medicine in the country. The statement also commended the Vice-Chancellor, university leadership, alumni, staff, and students for their dedication in achieving this milestone.
This is just one of many breakthroughs recorded under Prof. Ortuanya’s administration. Yet, some social media mischief-makers and traducers have chosen not to highlight or acknowledge such achievements, perhaps because they are coming from quarters they never expected. Instead, they persist in peddling falsehoods and engaging in armchair criticism, hoping to undermine his administration or force his removal.
That, however, is unlikely. Prof. Ortuanya has committed no offence or misconduct that would warrant suspension, let alone dismissal.
Even the antics of social media hirelings, allegedly linked to interests threatened by the current reforms, will not derail his vision and mission for his alma mater as its first indigenous Vice-Chancellor.
On the recent increase in school fees, which has since been resolved, the adjustment was neither unexpected nor out of place. Education is expensive globally, and prior to the review, UNN’s fees were among the lowest in Nigeria.
It is evident that internally generated revenue and government funding are now being utilized more transparently and effectively under Prof. Ortuanya’s leadership to reposition the University for efficient operations. A visit to the campus tells the story better, because seeing, indeed, is believing.
In retrospect, the early wave of criticism and orchestrated social media attacks against Prof. Ortuanya’s administration appears to have been a classic case of giving a dog a bad name to hang it.
So far, Prof. Ortuanya has demonstrated that he possesses the capacity, vision, and resolve to rescue, reposition, and strengthen the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, placing it on a path to compete favorably on the global stage with excellence in academic performance and recognition.
Ezea writes from Independence Layout, Enugu State
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication with Second Class(Upper Division) at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
