Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya has officially been appointed as the 16th Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), marking a historic milestone as the first person from the Nsukka host community to hold the role since the university’s founding in 1960.
His appointment has been described as a long-overdue recognition for the people of Nsukka, who have hosted the university for over six decades.
The announcement, made on August 3, 2025, was ratified by the university’s Governing Council following a transparent and merit-based selection process chaired by Engr. Kayode Ojo. Professor Ortuanya succeeds Professor Charles Igwe, whose tenure ended earlier this year.
A Victory for Equity and Representation
The appointment has sparked excitement among local stakeholders and the wider academic community. Many have expressed gratitude to Enugu State Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for supporting the push for an indigenous candidate. Community groups say the appointment reflects long-awaited justice and fairness.
His emergence follows years of advocacy from Nsukka-based groups who argued that the host community had never been given a fair chance at leading the university. Organizations such as Kpokotenu Nsukka had repeatedly called for equitable representation and urged decision-makers to end decades of exclusion.
“It is both earned and inspiring, a reflection of unwavering commitment to excellence and the advancement of our people,” said Hon. Dr. Ejike Jude Eze, Chief Whip of the Enugu State House of Assembly.
Earlier in the year, UNN had denied reports of Ortuanya’s appointment, stating that the selection process was still ongoing. That statement came amid speculation and mounting pressure from alumni and local leaders to finalize the process transparently.
Now that the appointment is official, many are watching to see whether Ortuanya’s leadership will bring meaningful development, unity, and academic progress to the institution.
A Distinguished Career in Law and Public Service
Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, SJD, FCIArb, FCIA, is a Professor of Law and Dean of the Faculty of Law, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). His passion for academic excellence has transformed the faculty into a globally competitive institution.
His leadership at ESUT saw the introduction of modern classrooms, upgraded law clinic facilities, and improved postgraduate programs.
He is the immediate past Secretary to the Enugu State Government and the Pioneer Director-General of the South East Governors’ Forum. A former Commissioner for Education in Enugu State, he played a key role in shaping educational policies under previous administrations. He also served as Special Assistant to the Minister of Information and Culture.
Prof. Ortuanya is the Founding and Principal Partner of Prof S.U Ortuanya & Co (Word Chambers), a top-tier law firm offering legal support across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Academic Credentials and Global Recognition
He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 after obtaining an LLB (Hons) degree from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. He earned a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of Lagos in 1991 and a Doctorate in Law (SJD) from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2003. Between 2003–2005, he was a Visiting Scholar at Loyola University, Chicago.
Prof. Ortuanya has held several academic positions, including Director of Law Clinic and Associate Dean at UNN, and Head of Department of Private Law at ESUT. He has served on the Human Rights Committee of the International Bar Association.
He has published extensively in both local and international journals and authored several influential books, including:
- Law of Evidence in Nigeria: Practice and Procedure
- HIV/AIDS Law and Policy in Nigeria
- Public Health Law and Policy in Nigeria
- Human Rights Law in Nigeria: Law, Practice and International Perspectives
- Health Law Legislation in Nigeria
- Fighting on the Side of Law and Justice: Legal Essays in Honour of Professor G.O.S. Amadi
His works are widely referenced by judges, legal scholars, and practitioners. Justice Chima Centus Nweze of blessed memory once described his treatise on evidence law as “a masterful guide to the interpretation of Nigeria’s Evidence Act.”
Prof. Ortuanya is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administration of Nigeria, and a member of several international legal associations.
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