Prof. James Ogbonna to Spearhead the ESUMAS Vision

Prof. James Ogbonna

Renowned biotechnology professor James Ogbonna has been named as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the newly established Enugu State University of Medical and Applied Sciences, Igbo-Ano, Enugu State. According to a release signed by the Secretary to the state government Prof. Simeon Ortuanya, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi approved the appointment of the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka as the first chief executive of the specialized university.

A Brief History of ESUMAS

The history of the Enugu State University began on the 31st of August, 2015 when Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi performed the groundbreaking ceremony for what was to be known as a "200-bed Specialist Hospital at Orba, Udenu Local Government". The hospital project was conceptualised to deal with the lack of secondary and tertiary health care facilities in the Enugu North senatorial zone. The first phase of the project was almost complete when the Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi-led government decided to decentralize the Enugu State University of Science and Technology in line with the original vision of the founding fathers.

A section of ESUMAS Teaching Hospital

In May 2019, the Enugu State Executive Council approved the conversion of ESUT to a multi-campus university with the Faculty of Social Sciences, Medicine, and Agriculture moving to Enugu North Campus. The council equally approved funds for the Faculty of Medical Sciences and other faculties to be built on a piece of land that the four communities of Orba, Imilike-Ani, Iheaka, and Ovoko donated. This land was called Igbo Ano.

Arial View of ESUMAS Campus, Igbo-Ano

Contractors mobilised to sites almost immediately and, within three years, were able to get the following to advanced stages: Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Teaching Hospital, College of Medicine, and two separate Hostel blocks. An access road to the university from Nru Junction, Nsukka, has also been completed.

While work at the Igbo Ano campus advanced, the state government sort the approval of the National University Commission for the relocation of some faculties from Agbani to Igbo-Ano but this was turned down. The state government, therefore, decided to convert the new Igbo Ano Campus into an independent university.

In March 2022, the State House of Assembly passed a bill creating a new state university to be known as Enugu State University of Medical Science, Igbo Ano. After inspecting the level of infrastructure at the Igbo-Ano Campus, the National University commission gave its approval for ESUMAS to be set up in June 2022.

Following the approval by NUC, the State government immediately approved a committee of eminent academics and professionals to spearhead the successful take-off of the new university. Valentine Ekechukwu, renowned Professor of Industrial Engineering and current Vice Chancellor of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, was named as chairman, with Malachy Okwueze, former Vice Chancellor of the Coal City University, and current deputy chief of staff to the governor, serving as secretary.

Some Faculty Building Under Construction

Other people on the committee are Dr. Chika Okoro, who is a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Nnaemeka Nwakanma, who is a representative of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, who is a representative of the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Obinna D. Onodugo, who is the Chief Medical Director of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH).

The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor is expected to work with the committee to ensure a smooth take-off of the university.

About Prof. James Ogbonna

He started his academic journey at the prestigious University of Jos, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany with First Class Honors in 1982. He was later awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Yamanashi University, Japan, for his Master of Engineering degree program in Fermentation Technology which he completed in 1988. He went ahead to obtain his PhD in Applied Biotechnology from the University of Tsukuba, Japan in 1991. At the conclusion of his doctorate program, he proceeded to the Institute of Bioprocess and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg, Germany, for his post-doctoral research between 1991 and 1992.

His foray into academia started in 1992 when he joined the services of the Institute of Applied Biochemistry, University of Tsukuba, Japan as a research assistant and rose to the rank of an Associate Professor before leaving for the institute in 2002.

He came back to Nigeria and took up the position of a professor of botany and biotechnology at Ebonyi State University in 2002. He worked there until he join the services of the department of microbiology of the University of Nigeria in Nsukka as a professor of Biotechnology.

Professor Ogbonna has also served as a visiting professor at the Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan, from 2012 to 2013.

Leadership Experience  

Aside from core academic functions, he has also held other positions, including:

• Head, Department of Biochemistry/Biotechnology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki (2002–2003).
• Dean, Faculty of Applied and Natural Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki (2003–2005).
• Director, Biotechnology Research and Development Center, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki (2005 -2006).
• Head, Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria (2007 – 2010),
• Coordinator, University of Nigeria-Japan Academic Linkages and Collaborations (2007 – Date) and
• Director, National Biotechnology Development Agency, South East Zonal Biotechnology Centre, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2014 – Date).

Awards

He has won many honours and distinctions, which include

• Jack Tilly Gyado’s prize for the student with the best academic records in the Department of Botany, University of Jos, Nigeria(1980/1981).
• Nigerian Academic Merit Award for outstanding students in Nigeria Universities(1981/82).
• University of Jos prize for the best graduating student in the Faculty of Natural Sciences(1982),
• Kwara State’s NYSC Commendation Awards for Outstanding and Diligent Youth Service Members(1983),
• Japanese Government (Monbusho) scholarship(1985-1991), Research Award from Showa Shell Sekiyu Foundation (Japan) for Promotion of Environmental Research(1999),
• Ebonyi State University Senate commendation for fighting against examination malpractice (2004).

He has served as an external examiner for eight universities and as an external assessor for promotion to the professorial cadre for seven universities. He was a strong contender for the post of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria in 2019, narrowly losing to the incumbent Prof. Charles Igwe.

He hails from Umachi, Igbo Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.