Nsukka: Residents of Nsukka are celebrating the historic appointment of Prof. Simon Ortuanya as the first indigenous Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) since its inception in 1960.
The announcement by the university’s Governing Council marks the end of a 65-year wait and has sparked widespread jubilation throughout the town and the Diaspora.
The UNN Governing Council, led by the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr Kayode Ojo, on Sunday announced Prof. Ortuanya as the substantive VC of the university.
Ortuanya defeated 27 other professors who contested for the UNN Vice-Chancellor’s position.
The new VC takes over from Prof. Oguejiofo Ujam, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution, whose tenure expires on Aug. 10.
The residents expressed their excitement on Monday, that the 65-year-old jinx of not appointing an indigene as a VC of UNN had been broken.
High Chief William Agbo, the Chief Executive Officer of Wilson Group of Companies, expressed his overwhelming joy that the jinx had been broken.
Since 1960, when UNN was established, this is the first time an Nsukka indigene was appointed as the VC of the institution.
“August 3, 2025, is a historic day and will remain memorable to all Nsukka people, both at home and in the Diaspora. This is the day the jinx of 65 years was broken,” he said.
Agbo expressed appreciation to Gov. Peter Mbah for the vital role he played to ensure that an Nsukka person was appointed the VC of UNN.
“Nsukka people will forever remain grateful to the governor for his support in actualising this dream.
“With this, Mbah should not disturb himself coming to Nsukka zone, made up of six local government areas, to campaign for a second tenure in the 2027 general elections,” Agbo said.
Commenting on Ortuanya’s appointment, Prof. Paulinus Ugwuoke, the President of the Association of Nsukka Professors, expressed happiness that what Nsukka people had been looking for for decades had finally happened during his presidency.
“I lack words to express my happiness on the appointment of the first Nsukka indigene as the VC of UNN.
“I thank all members of the association and Nsukka people for their various contributions that made this historic feat possible,” he said.
Ugwuoke also commended the state governor for making the appointment possible, adding that he has once again demonstrated his love for the Nsukka people.
He urged the newly appointed VC to involve everyone and correct any abnormalities within the institution.
Speaking, Dr Oyibo Eze, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in UNN, described Ortuanya’s appointment as an act of God.
“I believe that kingship and leadership come from God, and that what God did not approve will not happen.
“ASUU-UNN will give the new VC the support and cooperation that will enable him to actualise his good dreams for the university,” Eze said.