The Board of Trustees of Wigwe University has appointed Justice Amina Adamu Augie as the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Governing Council and Prof. Marwan Al-Akaidi as Vice Chancellor of the institution.

The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu.

Ajogwu said this development underscores the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and innovation. 

Augie succeeds Prof. Julius Okojie, the former Pro-Chancellor.

Meanwhile, Al-Akaidi has been confirmed as the substantive Vice Chancellor after serving in an acting role as well as Dean of the College of Science and Computing and Deputy Vice Chancellor responsible for research and innovation.

Augie is a distinguished jurist and former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. She obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, in 1977. Her career shifted focus to academia, where she served as an assistant lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University. From 1984 to 1988, she worked as a law lecturer at the Nigerian Law School, teaching a course on evidence.

In 1988, she began her judicial career and gradually advanced through the ranks. She was first appointed as Chief Magistrate in the Sokoto State Judiciary, until her appointment as a Judge of the High Court in 1992, a position she held until her elevation to the Court of Appeal in 2002.

The board noted that her exceptional leadership, integrity, and wealth of experience will be invaluable in guiding the university towards its strategic goals and upholding its core values of excellence, innovation, and service.

Al-Akaidi obtained a B.Sc and a Master of Science degree in Digital Communications Systems from Loughborough University (UK) and subsequently earned his doctorate from the same institution, specialising in Optical and Communications Engineering in 1988.

He is a distinguished academic and visionary leader. His extensive experience in higher education, research, and innovation will be beneficial in fulfilling the university’s mission and vision.

He has pioneered a variety of educational innovations, including blended, online, and e-learning within the United Kingdom and MENA region, as well as introducing MOOCs in the Middle East, thereby revolutionising access to education.