Nnenna Oti

Nnenna Oti
Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri
Assuming office
19 June 2021
SucceedingFrancis Chukwuemeka Eze
Personal details
Born
Nnenna Nnannaya Oti

(1958-11-15) 15 November 1958 (age 66)
Afikpo North, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Nnenna Nnannaya Oti (born 15 November 1958) is a Nigerian professor and the first female substantive Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri. Oti defeated Ikechukwu Dozie on 13 April 2021 and has resumed office as the 8th Vice-Chancellor of the institution on 19 June 2021.

Early life and education

Nnenna Oti is from and was born in Afikpo North, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. She received a B. Agric. in soil science from University of Nigeria, finishing in first class. She furthered and received a master's degree in social science with focus on soil biology and biochemistry from the same University of Nigeria. She continued her studies at Catholic University, Leuven where she received a postgraduate diploma in irrigation engineering, earning a distinction. She received a doctorate degree in soil and environmental conservation from Federal University of Technology Owerri.[1][2]

Career

Oti is a three-time head of department of soil science and technology in the school of agricultural and agriculture technology at Federal University of Technology Owerri. She is a past chairman of Gender Policy Unit and the immediate past dean of post-graduate school in her second tenure. She is a professor of soil science and environmental conservation.[1][3] She has served as a consultant to various government agencies including TETFund and Anambra Imo River Basin Development Authority.[4]

Vice-Chancellor of FUTO

On 13 April 2021, Oti was elected as the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri and replaced Francis Chukwuemeka Eze when his tenure expired on 19 June 2021. She defeated six other candidates and scored 75.5 percent to beat her closest rival, Ikechukwu Dozie who scored 69.7 percent. She is now the first female Vice-Chancellor of the institution and an immediate past deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic.[5]

In 2021, her administration faced criticism for appointing the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami a Professor without following due process. The Alumni Association of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) called the award a deception and called on the University management to reconsider the appointment.[6][7] The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) also described the promotion of Ali Isa Pantami, to a professor as “illegal.” and promised to sanction Oti.[8][9]

Abia Election

Oti was the returning officer in the Abia state governorship election and was hailed for the key role she played in ensuring that the election outcome was not compromised, despite attempts and pressure from political actors of the ruling PDP in the state to bribe her.[10]

Personal life

Oti is married to Nnannaya Oti and they have three children.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Gbemisola, Adesola (15 April 2021). "Six things you probably didn't know about new FUTO female VC". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Prof. Nnenna N. OTI". SAAT FUTO. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  3. ^ Idoko, Clement (14 April 2021). "Professor Nnenna Oti emerges new Vice-Chancellor of FUTO". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  4. ^ Ataro, Ufuoma (15 April 2021). "FUTO elects first female vice-chancellor". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  5. ^ Ogugbuaja, Charles (15 April 2021). "Oti emerges FUTO's first female VC". The Guardian Newspaper. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Award of professorship to Pantami inappropriate, alumni tells FUTO management | Premium Times Nigeria". 18 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  7. ^ "Reconsider Pantami's professorship—FUTO alumni tells varsity management". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  8. ^ "'Pantami's professorship illegal' -- ASUU vows to sanction FUTO VC". TheCable. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  9. ^ "ASUU declares Pantami's professorship illegal, to sanction FUTO VC, others". Punch Newspapers. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Abia INEC returning officer, Nnenna Oti receive heroic welcome in FUTO [VIDEO]". Daily Post. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.