Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa has broken the glass ceiling by emerging as the first female Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State.
Since 34 years ago when the institution was established by the Federal Government a succession of male Vice-Chancellors had been running its affairs. All tnese years the highest position that female professors had attained was the post of Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
But the chain of male dominated succession in the post of MOUAU Vice-Chancellor was finally broken in the selection of the 7th VC as Prof Akanwa beat other contenders, including male candidates, to the job.
A press release issued Thursday February 20, 2026 by the head of media and protocol unit of MOUAU, Dr Ubadire Aguwa, said that the historic appointment of Prof Akanwa as the first female VC was sealed at the 95th meeting of the Governing Council.
He said that the appointment was announced to the media by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Comrade Fidelis Chukwunweike Edeh, “shortly after the 95th Meeting of the Council considered the report of the Selection Panel”.
Prof. Akanwa, who serves currently as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Development(R&D) in the University, will take over from the 6th Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, on March 1, 2026.
Akanwa is a professor of Educational Measurement and Evaluation. She joined the services of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike in 2011 as an Associate Professor from Abia State University, Uturu(ABSU).
She attained the rank of full professor in 2014 and has now become the 7th VC of MOUAU after 12 years of professorial status.
