Prof. Daniel Nwachukwu, the fourth Vice-Chancellor of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), has assumed office.
The professor of Cardiovascular Physiology took over from Prof. Sunday Elom, his predecessor, on Tuesday.
Elom completed his five-year tenure on Feb. 10, 2026.
In his acceptance speech, Prof 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 the 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.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the outgoing VC, 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 2026,” 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 the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) accredited Accounting department.
The professor 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 faculties to 14 faculties with 41 to 54 departments, and 57 academic programmes to 64 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 explained 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.”
The high point of the ceremony was the formal handover of instruments of authority including the university Seal and the Senate Maze.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prayers for the consecration and dedication of the new administration were offered by Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka of Adoration Ministries.
