Recently updated on February 12th, 2023 at 12:49 pm
Professor Nnenna Otti has emerged as the first Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) female Vice Chancellor.
Her appointment as the 8th Substantive Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University, succeeds Professor N.J Okeudo whose tenure has elapsed. Before the new post, she was the Dean of Post Graduate Studies.
Professor Nnenna Otti is from the Department of Soil Science Technology, SAAT.
Briefing the press shortly after the selection of the new VC, Chairman Governing Council of FUTO, Professor John Offem said 29 applicants showed interest while seven (7) were finally shortlisted. According to Offem, the new VC scored 75.5 ahead of her closest rival, professor Ikechukwu Dozie who scored 69.7.
“Following the directive of the council, the advertisement for the position of the Blu substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, was placed in two national dailies of 10 December 2020 for interested candidates to apply.
At the close of submissions, on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, 27 applications were received. The search team produced two other candidates, bringing the total number of applicants to 29.
Council at its 184 meeting held, on Thursday, 18, March 2021 considered and approved the shortlist of seven candidates for the position of Vice-Chancellor for the next step, the interview stage.
Earlier, on Tuesday, council and senate met separately and nominated two candidates each, who formed the five-man selection Board, chaired by my humble self.
We interacted extensively with all the seven eminently qualified Professors at an interview session, at which the Federal Character Commission and the Representative of the Minister of Education in Council were observers.”
Profile of Professor Nnenna Otti
Professor Nnenna Nnannaya Otti is a Professor of Soil Science and Environmental Conservation and formerly Dean of Post-Graduate School. She is a three-time Head of Department of Soil Science and Technology in the School of Agricultural and Agriculture Technology (SAAT) and the immediate past chairman, Gender Policy Unit.
She holds a Bachelor of Agriculture degree (B.Agric) in Soil Science from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN; (First Class Honours), Masters in Soil Science (Soil Biology and Biochemistry Option), UNN; a Postgraduate Diploma in Irrigation Engineering (Distinction) from Katholic University Leuven, Belgium and capped her academic laurels with a PhD in Soil and Environmental Conservation from FUTO.
Professor Nnenna Oti has over 34 years in academics, teaching research and administration in the Nigerian university system with international exposure. She has had hands-on experience working as a consultant to government and private sector and various times in diverse capacities ranging from TETFund, Anambra Imo River Basin Development Authority, National Biotechnology Development Agency etc. She has over 65 academic papers, 40 seminar and workshop papers, edited a handbook, 50 public lectures and over 10 technical reports for the Federal government of Nigeria.
Professor Nnenna Otti, was until her appointment as Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), FUTO.
Born on the 15th of November, 1958 in Afikpo North Ebonyi State, she is married to Dr. Nnannaya Otti and blessed with three children.
Honours / Awards
2003: Best PhD Thesis in [Nigeria]
(2002) Award – National Universities Commission, NUC, Nigeria Doctoral Thesis Award Scheme (NUDTAS)
2004: Certificate OF Merit, Federal University of Technology, Owerri for producing the best PhD Dissertation in Soil Science in Nigeria (2002) by the National Universities Commission’s rating.
2004 – 2006: Post Doctoral Fellowship Award, Ebonyi State Government of Nigeria.
1978 – 1982: Federal Government of Nigeria Merit Award
1982: Best Graduating Student, Faculty of Agriculture, UNN
1977: Imo State Government Student Scholarship Award
1982: U.A.C. of Nigeria Prize for Best Student in Agriculture
1982: Best Graduating Student, Department of Soil Science
1986 – 1987: European Economic Community Scholarship (EEC) for Developing Countries in Katholic University, Leuven, Belgium
1996 – 1997: World Bank Grant for Overseas Development for Academic Staff in Nigeria Scholarship Scheme for PhD Universities. Lome III Project.
1997 – 2002: Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria Staff Scholarship for PhD Studies
2014: Delegate, 2014 National Conference representing Ebonyi/South East
