Professor Ikechukwu Ezemonye, the Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, has been hailed for developments in infrastructure, digital access, research, and partnerships during his tenure.
The commendation came on Wednesday, during the marking of the VC’s eighth anniversary in office.
According to a statement issued by Eugene Itua, the CEO of Natural Eco Capital and a Board Member of the University’s Centre for Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals on Tuesday, Ezemonye’s administration is credited with deploying Glo Fibre-optic connectivity across campus.
The project, which the statement said was promised in his first year in office, has increased bandwidth capacity for teaching and research.
According to the release, the university has expanded work in sustainability, climate action, and the Sustainable Development Goals under Ezemonye.
This included a partnership with Natural Eco Capital, led by Itua.
Through the collaboration, the university has undertaken capacity-building initiatives, climate resilience interventions, SDG mainstreaming efforts, and research collaborations.
The statement said tributes from staff, colleagues, and stakeholders described Ezemonye as “a visionary leader” and noted “eight years of transformative leadership” that included digital and infrastructural modernisation and deepened partnerships.
Ezemonye, a fellow of the African Academy of Sciences, assumed office as vice-chancellor eight years ago.
Igbinedion University, established in 1999, is Nigeria’s first private university.
The statement listed institutional outcomes under his leadership to include strengthened systems, expanded opportunities, and human-centred initiatives.
It added that funding for key institutions was made a direct charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, though it did not specify which institutions.
Itua, the Executive Director of the Africa Green Economy and Sustainability Institute, noted that, with regard to digital infrastructure, the university deployed Glo Fibre-Optic connectivity across the entire campus during Ezemonye’s tenure.
In the area of sustainability, the institution entered into a partnership with Natural Eco Capital to implement climate resilience interventions, mainstream the Sustainable Development Goals, and conduct joint research.
Regarding institutional focus, Igbinedion University recorded growth in research capacity, expanded institutional partnerships, and strengthened academic systems over the eight-year period.
