OWERRI, Nigeria — The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) has appointed Professor Ikechukwu Nosike Simplicius Dozie as its 9th substantive Vice-Chancellor, following the conclusion of a rigorous selection process conducted by the institution’s 13th Governing Council.
The appointment was formally confirmed when Prof. Dozie received his letter from the Council Chairman, Senator Jack Tilley-Gyado, in the presence of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nnenna N. Oti, whose tenure is scheduled to end on June 18, 2026.
According to the University’s Public Relations Officer, Joy Nnodi, the selection process was thorough and in line with established procedures, culminating in the emergence of Prof. Dozie as the preferred candidate to lead the institution into its next phase of development.
Prof. Dozie, a distinguished scholar and public health expert, is expected to assume office on June 19, 2026, taking over from Prof. Oti. His appointment signals a new chapter in FUTO’s leadership, with expectations high for continuity in academic excellence, innovation, and institutional growth.
Born on March 3, 1966, in Umuokisi Amuzi, Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Prof. Dozie has built a formidable academic and administrative profile over the years. He obtained his early education in Enugu and Mbaise before proceeding to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Microbiology and Medical Microbiology respectively. He later obtained a PhD in Public Health Parasitology from the University of Jos.
His academic career began in 1992 as an Assistant Lecturer at Imo State University, Owerri, where he rose through the ranks to become a Professor in 2005. Over the years, he has held several strategic positions within and outside FUTO, including Head of the Department of Public Health Technology, Dean of the School of Health Technology, and Director of Linkages and Advancement. He also served as a member of the University’s 11th Governing Council.
Beyond FUTO, Prof. Dozie has contributed significantly to higher education management and public health. He previously served as Acting Vice-Chancellor of K.O. Mbadiwe University, Ideato, and has undergone advanced management training at the Galilee International Management Institute in Israel. His expertise in public health has also seen him work as a consultant to the World Health Organization’s African Programme for Onchocerciasis.
A member of several professional bodies, including the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the Nigerian Society of Microbiology, Prof. Dozie is widely regarded as an accomplished academic with deep experience in research, teaching, and institutional leadership.
His return to FUTO’s top leadership position is seen by many within the academic community as both a homecoming and an opportunity to consolidate the university’s gains while advancing its global outlook.
With his appointment, stakeholders are optimistic that FUTO will continue to strengthen its reputation as a leading university of technology in Nigeria, driven by innovation, research excellence, and community impact
