IAUE Announces New Convocation Dates; Ikechi Obinna, Chukwu Chinedu, 33 Academic Staff Elevated to Professorial Rank

The Senate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) has officially announced the rescheduled dates for its 44th Convocation Ceremony, following approval from the Executive Governor of Rivers State and Visitor to the University, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

The two-day event is now scheduled to take place on Friday, 8th May and Saturday, 9th May 2026.

According to the Chairman of the Senate, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, who disclosed the details during an emergency Senate meeting on Wednesday, the ceremony will be divided into two distinct sessions:

Friday, 8th May: Award of First Degrees and University Prizes. Saturday, 9th May: Conferment of Postgraduate Degrees.

In a landmark development for the institution’s academic standing, Professor Onuchuku also announced the promotion of 76 senior academic staff following ratification by the University Council.

A total of 35 scholars have been elevated to the prestigious rank of Professor, while 41 others have attained the rank of Reader (Associate Professor). The promotions span across all seven faculties of the university, reflecting a robust growth in research and specialized scholarship.

Among the newly elevated Professors are prominent names in various fields, including Ikechi Prince Obinna, Chukwu Godswill Chinedu, Lawrence Amadi, and Joy A. Mekuri-Ndimele, all appointed as Professors of Consumer Behaviour and Sustainability Marketing. The Faculty of Social Sciences saw the highest number of elevations, with 10 new Professors specializing in fields ranging from Development Economics to Medical Sociology.

Congratulating the newly promoted dons, the Vice-Chancellor and Senate Chairman charged them to embody the responsibilities that accompany their new status. He emphasized the necessity of providing academic leadership and fostering a culture of mentorship within their respective departments.

“You must ensure that those coming behind you are supported and promoted once they meet the necessary requirements and possess the requisite qualifications,” Professor Onuchuku advised.

The elevation of 41 Readers includes notable appointments such as Dr Abolo Aseinnimieyeofori in Financial Accounting, Dr Omaha Patience Chioma in Financial Accounting and Forensic Accounting, Dr Tutah Tonye Chukwundah in Service and Strategic Marketing and Dr Amadi Scholastica in English Syntax and Discourse Analysis.

The University’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Ngozi Okiridu, noted that the convocation and the mass promotions signal a renewed era of academic vigour at IAUE, coinciding with the administrative support provided by the Rivers State Government to reposition the institution as a premier centre for teacher education and specialized research in Nigeria.

Below is the press statement sighted by Africa Update: SENATE ANNOUNCES 8TH AND 9TH OF MAY, 2026 AS APPROVED NEW DATES FOR IAUE 44TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY WITH THIRTY FIVE ACADEMIC STAFF ELEVATED TO THE RANK OF PROFESSORS

Friday 8th and Saturday 9th May, 2016 has been approved by the Executive Governor of Rivers State and Visitor to the University, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS as the new dates for Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) Rumuolumeni Port-Harcourt Rivers State Nigeria 44th convocation ceremony.

Friday 8th May 2026, will be for the award of first degrees and prizes while Saturday May 9th 2026, will be for the conferment of postgraduate degrees.

The Chairman of Senate Professor Okechuku Onuchuku announced this during an emergency Senate meeting of Wednesday April 15, 2026 at the Postgraduate hall of the University.

Professor Okechuku Onuchuku also announced that thirty five academic staff of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education IAUE Rumuolumeni Port-Harcourt Rivers State Nigeria have been elevated to the rank of Professors with forty one of them promoted to the rank of Readers after Council ratified their promotion.

The new Professors are:
Faculty of Administration and Management Sciences

1. Professor Ikechi Prince Obinna– Professor of Consumer Behaviour and Sustainability Marketing
2. Professor Chukwu Godswill Chinedu– Professor of Consumer Behaviour and Sustainability Marketing
3. Professor Joy .A. Mekuri-Ndimele—Professor of Consumer Behaviour and Sustainability Marketing
4. Professor Dumo Nkesi Opara—Professor of Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour 5. Professor Lawrence Amadi– Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategic Marketing

Faculty of Agriculture

6. Professor Eunice Ngozi Ajie —Professor of Agricultural Economics (Agricultural Marketing)
7. Professor Godswill Ibom Wilcox — Professor of Production Economics

Faculty of Education

8. Professor Emmanuel Okwu — Professor of Library and Information Science
9. . Professor Love Nwamadi— Professor of Counselling Psychology
10. Professor Amadi– Ali Beatrice Onyebuchi– Professor of Early Childhood and Primary Education
11. Professor Jerome Ibejika Wosu– Professor of History and Policy of Education

Faculty of Humanities

12. Professor Grace Hart Lawrence– Professor of African Religion and Cultural Heritage

Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences

13. Professor Worokwu China Roland– Professor of Science Education (Chemistry)
14. Professor Constance Izuchukwu Amanah– Professor of Algorithms and Software Engineering
15. Professor Comfort Emma-Elechi– Professor of Community Health Education and Promotion
16. Professor Wokocha Gideon Azubuike– Professor of Science Education
17. Professor Glory Godspower -Echie– Professor of Science Education
18. Professor Nwala Longinus– Professor of Science Education (ITS)
19. Professor Daso P. Ojimba– Professor of Mathematics Education
20. Professor Nchelem Rosemary George–Professor of Mathematics Education
21. Professor Dagogo Franklin Ibim– Professor of Applied Geophysics

Faculty of Social Sciences

22. Professor Leelee Nwiibari Deekor– Professor of Development Economics
23. Professor Nzidee Williams– Professor of Development Economics
24. Professor Iwarimie .B. Uranta– Professor of
    Political Theory and Methodology
25. Professor Dennis Reuben .T. Ukpere– Professor of Rural Development and Resource Management
26. Professor Poroma Lekia Celestine– Professor of Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management
27. Professor Ngeh David Baride– Professor of Sociology of Development 28. Professor Ebenezer Levi Odike– Professor of Sociology of Development and Social Work
28. Professor Goodnews Wabah– Professor Medical Sociology
29. Professor Nwikpugi Bright Poronakie– Professor of Regional Development Planning
30. Professor Ikechi Omenihu Okwakpam– Professor of Environmental Management

Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education

32. Professor Paulinus Emennu–Professor of Industrial Technical Education (Mathematical Option).
33. Professor Joseph Onwuakalaegbule Amaechi–Professor of Industrial Technical Education (Mathematical Option)
34. Professor Divine Chiorlu–Professor of Industrial Technical Education (Electrical Electronics Option)
35. Professor Salome Emeya—Professor of Agricultural Science Education

Associate Professors ( Reader)
Faculty of Administration and Management Sciences

1. Dr Abolo Aseinnimieyeofori–Reader in Financial Accounting and Corporate Governance
2. Dr Omaha Patience Chioma–Reader in Financial Accounting and Forensic Accounting
3. Dr Chiiam Emmanuel Bedford –Reader in Financial and Environmental Accounting
4. Dr Tutah Tonye Chukwundah– Reader in Service and Strategic Marketing
5. Dr George Ordua–Reader in Human Resource Management

Faculty of Education
6.. Dr Nnenda Wozule Tom-George– Reader in Library and Information Science

7. Dr Richard Okechukwu Okere– Reader in Guidance and Counselling
8. Dr Ibiye Omeibi-Davids– Reader in Educational Technology
9. Dr Fortune Omasirichi Sam-Eleyi– Reader in Business Education (OIM)
10. Dr Ubani Samuel Nwakaku– Reader in Special Needs Education
11. Dr Amakiri Hager Atisi Eremina– Reader in Educational Measurement and Evaluation
12. Dr Christiana Apa-Ago Osaro– Reader in Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling
13. Dr Yellowe Annette Ndukuru– Reader in Educational Administration

Faculty of Humanities

14. Dr Amadi Scholastica– Reader in English Syntax, Morphology and Discourse Analysis 15. Dr Stone Allen Orubu– Reader in Painting and Painting Technology
15. Dr Joe Mgbakiri Urekwere–Reader in Textile and Fashion Design 17. Dr Tam-George Charlotte –Reader in Ceramic Technology
16. Dr Omenohia Douglas Mada–Reader in French Language and Linguistics
17. Dr N-ue Uebari Samuel –Reader in Social and Political History
18. Dr Nkemakolam Ugorji–Reader in Music Education
19. Dr Ndubuaku Offor– Reader in African Music
    22.. Dr Metong Amakiri Eustace –Reader in Church History
20. Dr Offor– Anthony Onwuzor– Reader in Social and Political History
    24.. Dr Nyewusira Chituru– Reader in Diplomacy and International Studies
    25..Dr Amadi Chidi– Reader in Social and Political History

Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences

26. Dr Tubonemi Mgbomo–Reader in Science Education (Biology)
27. Dr Abbey -Kalio Ibijengibo– Reader in Science Education (Chemistry)
28. Dr Samuel Gentle Kitoye– Reader in Public Health Promotion and Education 29. Dr Gonsi Monday Sibe –Reader in Exercise Physiology
29. Dr Precious Friday Amadi–Reader in Community Health Education
30. Dr Christiana Leesi Kpe-Nobana— Reader in Public Health Promotion and Education
31. Dr George Isoboye–Reader in Applied Mathematics

Faculty of Social Sciences

33. Dr Wosu– Benson Ikechi–Reader in Regional Development Planning
34. Dr King Onu Ezebunwa—Reader in Development Economics
35. Dr Clement Korgbeelo–Reader in Development Economics
36. Dr Kpaa Kabee–Reader in Regional Development Planning 37. Dr Taylor Tamunosaki–Reader in Political Economics and Development Studies
37. Dr Ferdinand Okpo Justice –Reader in Governance and Development Studies

Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education

39. Dr Silver line .N. Igweagbara–Reader in Technical Education (Building Technology Option)
40. Dr Tasie Chimezie Michael– Reader in Agricultural Resource and Environmental Technology Education
41. Dr Ibekwe Anthony Amadi–Reader in Technology Education (Electrical Electronics Option) The Chairman of Senate while congratulating the newly promoted Professors and Associate Professors advised them to provide academic leadership to their colleagues and to also ensure that those coming behind them are promoted if they have the necessary qualifications and meet the requirement
    when the time comes.

Dr Ngozi Okiridu
Public Relations Officer