Abia State University, Uturu, has appointed Professor Amadike Ugbogu as its new Vice-Chancellor.

This was contained in a statement issued by the university on Saturday, titled “Appointment of the 9th Substantive Vice-Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu,” and signed by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Rt. Hon. Agwu U. Agwu.

The statement read, “Following the recommendation of the Abia State University Governing Council, at its 161st Regular Meeting, held on Thursday, 29th October, 2026, the Governor and Visitor to the University, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved the appointment of Professor Amadike Ugbogu, a Professor of Biochemistry, as the 9th Substantive Vice-Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu.”

The appointment, the statement said, takes effect from November 1, 2026.

Prof. Ugbogu replaces Prof. Ndukwe James Okeudo, who assumed office on November 1, 2024, on a “rescue mission.”

Okeudo was appointed by the Executive Governor of Abia State and Visitor to the university, Dr. Alex C. Otti, OFR, to salvage, stabilise and reposition the institution.

In a separate release, the university said, “In a landscape where academic leadership often faces deep friction, Professor Okeudo redefined the rules. He modelled what the spiritual writer Thomas à Kempis once captured: ‘They travel lightly whom God’s grace carries.’ Because he carried that grace so visibly, he bore the heavy burdens of a rescue mission with an unshakeable, peaceful weightlessness.

“The milestones of his administration will be studied for years to come as a blueprint for rapid institutional transformation. Under his watch, massive, complex hurdles dissolved, and development unfolded with a fluid harmony that felt almost effortless.

“Administratively, he restored absolute sanity and transparency, clearing longstanding backlogs by conducting massive staff appraisal exercises and promotions. He institutionalised merit, enforcing zero tolerance for exploitation and establishing absolute order in the mobilisation of law graduates for the mandatory Nigerian Law School.

“Academically, his grace-led guidance pushed the university into global recognition, clearing historical graduation backlogs through an epoch-making, historic triple convocation ceremony”.