Nsukka | |
Former names |
|
---|---|
Motto | To Restore the Dignity of Man |
Type | Public |
Established | 1955 |
Founder | Nnamdi Azikiwe [1] |
Vice-Chancellor | Charles Igwe Arizechukwu |
Academic staff | 1,519 [2] |
Students | 36,000 [3] |
Location | , , 6°51′24″N7°23′45″E / 6.85667°N 7.39583°E 6°52′02″N7°24′31″E / 6.8673°N 7.4085°E |
Campus | Rural 871 hectares (2,150 acres) (Nsukka campus) Urban 200 hectares (490 acres) (Enugu campus) 500 hectares (1,200 acres) (Ituku-Ozalla campus) [4] |
Colors | Green and white |
Nickname | Lions and Lionesses |
Mascot | Lion (Black lion with a broken chain) |
Website | unn.edu.ng |
The University of Nigeria, commonly referred to as UNN, is a federal university located in Nsukka, Enugu State, Eastern part of Nigeria. Founded in 1955 by Nnamdi Azikiwe [5] [6] [7] who was the Governor General of Nigeria between 1960 and 1963, [8] and first President of Nigeria between 1963 and 1966. [9] The University of Nigeria Nsukka was formally opened on 7 October 1960. [10] The University of Nigeria has three campuses in Enugu State–Nsukka, Enugu, and Ituku-Ozalla – and the Aba campus in Abia State. [11]
The University of Nigeria is the first full-fledged indigenous and first autonomous university in Nigeria, [12] modelled upon the American educational system. It was the first land-grant university in Africa and one of the five most reputed universities in Nigeria. The university has 15 Faculties and 102 academic departments. The university offers 108 undergraduate programs and 211 postgraduate programmes. [13]
A law to establish a university in the Eastern Region of Nigeria was passed on 18 May 1955. [14] Advise was sought from educationists in the UK and the US to help in the planning of the physical and educational aspects of the proposed university.
Under the joint auspices of the Inter-University Council for Higher Education and Overseas and the International Co-operation Administration (now the United States Agency for International Development), J.W. Cook, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, Dr John A. Hannah, President of Michigan State University and Dr. Glen L. Taggart, Dean of International Programs at the same university, came to Nigeria in 1958. The team surveyed the site at Nsukka and extensively investigated a great variety of factors pertinent to the establishment of a new university.
The results of their efforts were contained in a white paper issued by the Eastern Nigeria Government on 30 November 1958. They had recommended, "that the development of the University of Nigeria based upon the concept of service to problems and needs of Nigeria, is a desirable project and one that should receive support from any source which could help to make it a sound endeavour".
They further recommended that a provisional council be established to "draw upon the technical and consultative resources available throughout the world for help in planning the institution".
The provisional council, authorized by the Eastern Nigeria Legislature, was appointed by the Governor in Council in April 1959, and given the necessary financial and administrative powers to build a sound university. It reflected the spirit of international co-operation which has given birth to the institution. It consisted of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, chairman, Dr T. Olawale Elias and Dr Okechukwu Ikejiani from the Federation of Nigeria, J. S. Fulton from the United Kingdom, Dr. Marguerite Cartwright and Dr. Eldon Lee Johnson from the United States. The university was formally opened on 7 October 1960, as the climax to the Nigerian independence celebrations in the country's Eastern Region, by Princess Alexandra of Kent. Classes began on 17 October 1960 with an enrollment of 220 students and 13 members of the academic staff. The opening convocation addresses were delivered by the Chairman of the Provisional Council, Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first President of the Federation of Nigeria, and by John A. Hannah, president of Michigan State University.[ citation needed ]
The university was fully autonomous, with the power to grant its own degrees. Technically speaking, therefore, it became the first fully-fledged university in Nigeria, since Ibadan was still at that time a university college granting London degrees. It also became the first university established by a Nigerian Regional Government. The University College Ibadan, the oldest degree-awarding institution, cut its umbilical cord with London in January 1963, becoming the University of Ibadan. In July 1967, it turned out the first graduates holding Ibadan (rather than London) degrees, [15] by which time Nsukka had produced two crops of graduates and taken all the publicity for turning out the first graduates of an autonomous Nigerian university. [16]
The university has four campuses:
The main campus of the university is located on 871 hectares of hilly savannah in the town of Nsukka, about eighty kilometres north of Enugu, and enjoys a very pleasant and healthy climate. Additionally 209 hectares of arable land are available for an experimental agricultural farm and 207 hectares for staff housing development. There is regular road transport between Nsukka and Enugu, and Nsukka is also quite easily accessible from all parts of Nigeria. There are modern shopping facilities and a large market in Nsukka town.
The Nsukka campus houses the Faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Biological Sciences, Education, Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine
The former Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, Enugu, was incorporated into the university in 1961, and its buildings now form the Enugu Campus (200 hectares) of the university located in the heart of Enugu, the administrative capital of Enugu State of Nigeria. Enugu is a modern city, accessible by air, rail and road. The Faculties of Business Administration, Environmental Studies, Law and Health Sciences are located at the Enugu Campus.
The teaching hospital (UNTH) attached to the university is presently sited at Ituku-Ozalla (25 kilometres south of Enugu) on a 500-hectare (1,200-acre) site. It also hosts the Faculty of Dentistry/Dental Surgery and Medical Sciences.
The Aba campus (UNAC) hosts the National Institute for Nigerian Languages.
A former campus was opened in October 1973 in Calabar, Cross River State. The campus at Calabar became a full-fledged University of Calabar in October 1977.
The official name of the university is University of Nigeria [17] and the official acronym of the name UNN. "UN" stands for University of Nigeria while the last "N" stands for Nsukka. This acronym is also shared by the main campus of the university, Nsukka (University of Nigeria, Nsukka). Thus technically, the name University of Nigeria, Nsukka refers to the main campus at Nsukka only while the name University of Nigeria refers to all the campuses of the university. References may be made to the location of the other campuses by mentioning the names of the cities where they are situated rather than a blanket description with the name Nsukka. Students at the Enugu Campus prefer to write the name of their school as University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC) [18] if they must add the location of their school. Students from other campuses of the school also prefer same. Official documents of the school describes the school as simply University of Nigeria. They also make this dichotomy when referring to different campuses of the school.
Nsukka campus which serves as the main campus of the University has the following faculties listed below: [19]
Enugu campus has the following facilities listed below: [29]
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku-Ozalla Campus has the following faculties listed below : [33]
Aba Campus has only one faculty which is listed below : [34]
Christ Church Chapel, University of Nigeria, Nsukka is an interdenominational chapel founded on 14 January 1965.
St. Peter's Chaplaincy, University of Nigeria, serves the needs of the Catholic parishioners within the university.
Novelist Chinua Achebe held research and teaching appointments at the university, beginning in the early 1970s. He worked in the faculty of arts with critic and African literature scholar Donatus Nwoga. [35] Astrophysicist Sam Okoye founded the Space Research Center in 1972. The Centre for Basic Space Research remains one of the few institutions in Africa that carries out research and offers courses in astronomy at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The first open heart surgical operation in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa was undertaken in 1974 at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu. The team was led by visiting Magdi Yacoub from the UK and others in the team included Professors Fabian Udekwu and Anyanwu. The College of Medicine has since evolved into the centre for cardiothoracic surgery and tropical cardiology excellence for the West Africa region with the siting of the National Cardiothoracic Center at UNTH Enugu. Much medical research is also being carried out in the college.[ citation needed ]
The Department of Fine and Applied Arts is known for the Nsukka group – seven artists associated with a system of traditional Igbo designs and styles known as uli . [36] [37]
The Law Faculty of the university is the oldest in Nigeria; it was established in 1960.[ citation needed ]
The Department of Electronic Engineering was named a Center of Excellence in Electronics by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1982.[ citation needed ]
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka Libraries consist of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, the Enugu Campus Main Library and the Medical Library located at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla. On March 8, 2009, the multi-complex Nnamdi Azikiwe Library of University of Nigeria, Nsukka was officially opened by the then minister of Education, Dr Sam Egwu. [38] The library has embraced information technology to provide an effective library service to users and this was why it was one of the three leading academic libraries in Nigeria where TINLIB software was introduced in the 90s [39] After so many failed attempts to automate the library using a well robust integrated library management software, the library finally settled for KOHA Integrated library management software to automate its activities. [40] The library collection is unique because it contains an Africana section that houses rare books such as Biafiana and Achebeana. It has a total holding of 350,000 book titles and about 5000 serials titles. [38]
University of Nigeria Nsukka alumni are made up of numerous politicians, like the state governors as well as senators and ministers in the Nigerian and other African governments, academics, actors, artists and business people.
The Vice-Chancellor is supported by two deputy vice-chancellors. Former and current persons who have fulfilled the position are:
Below are some approved affiliate institutions of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka by the National Universities Commission (NUC). [50]
Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe, PC, usually referred to as "Zik", was a Nigerian statesman, revolutionary and political leader who served as the 3rd governor-general of Nigeria between 1960 and 1963 and the 1st president of Nigeria during the First Nigerian Republic which existed from 1963 to 1966. Considered a driving force behind the nation's independence, he came to be known as the "father of Nigerian nationalism".
The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) is a university in Nigeria that was founded as Anambra State University of Technology (ASUTECH) on 30 July 1980, by the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Dr Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo. The creation of Enugu State out of Anambra State in 1991 by the then Military President General Ibrahim Gbadamasi Babangida, transformed ASUTECH into Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
The University of Ibadan (UI) is a public research university in Ibadan, Nigeria. The university was founded in 1948 as University College Ibadan, one of many colleges within the University of London. It became an independent university in 1962 and is the oldest degree-awarding institution in Nigeria. Through its graduate network, the University of Ibadan has contributed to the political, industrial, economic and cultural development of Nigeria. The history and influence of the University of Ibadan have made it one of the most prestigious universities in Africa.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, also called UNIZIK or NAU in short is a federal university in Nigeria. It consists of two campuses in Anambra State. Its main campus is in Awka, while its other campus is in Nnewi. There are also other campuses of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. These include Agulu in Aniocha local government area and Ifite-Ogwuari in Ayamelum local government area in Anambra State. This makes Nnamdi Azikiwe University to operate in the three Senatorial Districts in Anambra State, Nigeria having Awka campus, in Anambra Central Senatorial District, Nnewi in Anambra North Senatorial District and Ifite-Ogwuari in Anambra North Senatorial District, respectively.
Chimaroke Nnamani is a medical doctor and Nigerian politician from Enugu State. He was elected Governor of Enugu State in the 1999 Enugu State gubernatorial election from 1999 to 2007. He subsequently served as a People's Democratic Party (PDP) Senator for Enugu East Senatorial District from 2007 to 2011 and was re-elected in 2019.
Samuel Ejikeme Okoye was a Nigerian astrophysicist from Amawbia in Anambra State, Nigeria. Okoye was the first black African to obtain a doctorate degree in Radio Astronomy.
Jephthah Elochukwu Unaegbu is a Nigerian writer, research fellow, actor, artist and documentary film maker, the author of many books.
Chukwuedu Nathaniel II Nwokolo was a Nigerian physician specialist in tropical diseases. He was recognised for discovering and mapping out the area of paragonimiasis lung disease in Eastern Nigeria, with a study of the disease in Africa and clinical research for its control. He founded SICREP: Sickle Cell Research Programme to effectively fight the disease in Nigeria and globally.
Cyril Agodi Onwumechili was a Nigerian physicist, academic administrator, and professor of geophysics at the University of Ibadan and later University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He was the fourth Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife from January 1979 to December 1982 and the former President/Vice Chancellor of the Anambra State University of Technology, Enugu, Nigeria, from January 1983 to December 1986. He delivered the Ahiajoku lecture on 20 November 2000. He was the first Nigerian geophysicist and the second president of the Nigerian Academy of Science. He was elected as president of the Academy in 1979 to succeed Professor Victor Adenuga Oyenuga, the first emeritus professor of the University of Ibadan and the first African professor of Agricultural science.
Uche Ewah Azikiwe, is a Nigerian academic, educator and author. She is the widow of former President of Nigeria Nnamdi Azikiwe. She is a professor in the Department of Educational Foundation, Faculty of Education at University of Nigeria, Nsukka. In 1999, she was appointed to the board of directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN).
Frank Nwachukwu Ndili was the 1st Nigerian Nuclear Physicist and the 7th Vice Chancellor (President) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He served as Vice Chancellor (President) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 1980 until he was succeeded by professor Chimere Ikoku in 1985. He left the office after a long and controversial investigation by the panel of inquiry. However, he is believed to have been forthright even where his predecessor Umaru Shehu (1978-1979) threaded carefully. He is credited with being one of the most visionary Vice Chancellors of the University. During Professor Ndili's Vice-Chancellorship, effort was undertaken for the first time to rebuild and refurbish the University of Nigeria following its devastation by the Nigerian Civil War. Ndili envisioned that the University would be destined for world-class status and designed a Master Plan to that effect. Today, the grand University entryway, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, the School of General Studies, and the Faculty of Arts Complex stand as testimony to his grand vision. He is not only a scientist, he is a great teacher, a top administrator, and a positive strategist.
John Anenechukwu Umeh is the first Professor of Estate Management in Africa and Asia.
Chinwe Nwogo Ezeani, is a Nigerian Chartered Librarian and the immediate past University Librarian of Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (U.N.N.). She is a Professor of Library and Information Science. Her tenure as a University Librarian (UL) at Nnamdi Azikiwe Library was between March 2014-March 2019. She is the first female University Librarian since the inception of Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, University of Nigeria Nsukka. In April, 2021, Dr. Ilo Promise Ifeoma took over as the current University Librarian of Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, (U.N.N)
Nancy Ekwulira Achebe is a Nigerian professor of library and information science. She is the first vice president of the Nigerian School Library Association (NSLA) and the current head of the department of Library and Information Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). She has also been the director of the School of General Studies at UNN, and has published about 70 articles in journals and newspapers.
Nene Elsie Nwada Obianyo is a Nigerian paediatric surgeon, delegate from Nigeria to the World Federation of Associations of Paediatric Surgeons and one of the two Nigerian surgeons who first successfully separated conjoined twins in Nigeria at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu in 1988.
Charles Okechukwu Esimone is a Nigerian professor of biopharmaceutics and pharmaceutical biotechnology who currently serves as the vice-chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria. He is the first professor of pharmaceutical microbiology in South-Eastern Nigeria.
Christian Nwachukwu Okeke is a professor of International Law, Jurisprudence and Comparative Law at Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco California. He is the Director of Sompong Sucharitkul Center for Advanced International Legal Studies and the director of LL.M. and S.J.D. Programs in international legal studies of the institution. He is a former Emeritus Pioneer Dean of Faculty Law at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, and a recipient of Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. Currently, he is the Pro Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University.
Edith Ogonnaya Nwosu is a Nigerian Professor of Corporate Law and the immediate-past Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC). Before her appointment as the DVC, she was the Associate Dean of Students Affairs and the orator of the institution.
Basil Chukwuemeka Ezeanolue is a Nigerian professor of Otolaryngology. He was a member of senate and he is a fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, fellow of the West African College of Surgeons in the Faculty of Otorhinolaryngology, and Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Basil Ezeanolue was, at several times, the Head of Department of Otolaryngology at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu, and Dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Nigeria. Basil Ezeanolue was the Secretary and later President of the Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria. He delivered the 82nd Inaugural Lecture of the University of Nigeria, at Enugu Nigeria, entitled, "Hear the Voice" on 17 July 2014. It was also the first inaugural lecture coming from the Department of Otolaryngology of the University of Nigeria. Ezeanolue also delivered the 6th Valedictory Lecture of the University of Nigeria entitled, "Challenges of balancing work with life, Geriatric Otorhinolaryngology and living post-work life of retirement - A discourse of the experiences and the lessons learnt from the Nigeria University System and Health Services Sectors perspectives of an Academic Clinical Otorhinolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon" on 10 November 2023. He is the Founder and Surgeon-in-Chief of Balsam Clinics, Enugu, Nigeria. He was also a member of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital Governing Board, Awka,, Anambra State. On 20 September 2018, he delivered the 36th Convocation Lecture of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, entitled, "Do Not Be Afraid And Do Not Fail To Rescue – a discourse on the challenges confronting Nigeria Health Sector" at Ijanikin, Lagos. Basil Ezeanolue's publications have been cited 440 times according to the AD Scientific index ranking. and 443 times according to the google scholar index.