Simon Uchenna Ortuanya

Simon Uchenna Ortuanya
16th Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Assumed office
11 August 2025
PresidentBola Ahmed Tinubu
Preceded byCharles Arizechukwu Igwe
Personal details
BornSimon Uchenna Ortuanya
1965 (age 59–60)
Nsukka Zone (Enugu North Senatorial District), Enugu State, Nigeria
Alma materUniversity of Nigeria (LL.B), University of Lagos (LL.M), Loyola University Chicago (S.J.D)
OccupationAcademic, University Administrator
Known for16th Vice‑Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

Simon Uchenna Ortuanya (born 1965) is a Nigerian academic and university administrator. He was appointed the 16th Vice‑Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in August 2025, becoming the first substantive vice‑chancellor from the Nsukka cultural zone.[1]

Early life and education

Ortuanya hails from Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. He earned his LL.B (Hons) from the University of Nigeria in 1987, his LL.M from the University of Lagos in 1991, and his Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D) from Loyola University, Chicago.[2][3]

Career

Ortuanya has served in various academic and public service roles. He has been Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law at UNN's Enugu Campus, Professor of Law at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), and a visiting scholar at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. In public service, he previously held the positions of Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Commissioner for Education in Enugu State, and Director General of the South‑East Governors’ Forum.[4][5]

Appointment as Vice‑Chancellor

On 3 August 2025, the UNN Governing Council ratified his appointment as the 16th Vice‑Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, formally assuming office on 11 August 2025. His appointment was widely described as historic, as he became the first vice‑chancellor from the Nsukka Zone since the university's founding in 1960.[6][7][8][9]

References

  1. ^ Anthony (2025-08-05). "Ortuanya emerges UNN VC". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
  2. ^ Anyanwu, Samuel (2025-08-06). "Prof. Ortuanya Emerges First Nsukka Indigenous UNN Vice Chancellor - Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation". Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
  3. ^ Mubarak, Ganiyu (2025-08-06). "UNN VC: Ikpeazu congratulates Professor Ortuanya |". The Eagle Online. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
  4. ^ Nigeria, Times (2025-08-05). "At last, Nsukka indigenous professor clinches UNN VC position". TheTimes.com.ng. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
  5. ^ wisdom. "PHOTONEWS : Gov. Ugwuanyi Commiserates With Prof. Ortuanya Family As He Buries His Late Mother". Retrieved 2025-12-12.
  6. ^ Nwafor (2025-12-11). "SERG urges caution over calls for UNN VC's suspension, says administrative inquiry should run its course". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
  7. ^ Okonkwo, Amarachi (2025-08-03). "UNN names Simon Ortuanya as new vice chancellor". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
  8. ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (2025-11-20). "100 Days: Prof Ortuanya commended over leadership as UNN VC". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
  9. ^ Abuchi, Joe (2025-08-05). "Prof. Ortuanya expresses gratitude to Tinubu, Mbah on appointment as 16th UNN VC". THE AUTHORITY NEWS. Retrieved 2025-12-12.