Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike

19/08/2026

PROCUREMENT PROCESSES VITAL FOR PROMOTING EFFICIENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY – PROF. AKANWA SAYS AS MOUAU ENGAGES BPP ON STAFF TRAINING

By Sunday Anyim Okorie and Ginger-Eke Collins

The Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, has stressed the critical role of public procurement processes in promoting efficiency, transparency, accountability and value for money in the management of University resources, as the University engages the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to train its management and procurement officers.

Prof. Akanwa stated this while declaring open a two-day workshop for management and procurement officers at the ICAN Lecture Theatre, MOUAU, on the theme, “Understanding the Public Procurement Process: A Workshop for Management and Procurement Officers.”

She described strict adherence to procurement procedures as a key component of her administration’s institutional renewal agenda, stressing that the acquisition of goods, works and services must be properly planned, transparently executed, cost-effective and fully compliant with relevant laws, regulations and guidelines.

The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the University had established a dedicated Procurement Unit to coordinate procurement activities and ensure compliance with due process. She charged Deans, Directors and Heads of Departments and Units to take ownership of procurement compliance, urging them to apply the knowledge gained from the workshop to strengthen governance, internal controls and responsible management of University resources.

The Director of Training, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Engr. Nelson Ojougboh, who served as the resource person for the training
provided participants with practical knowledge of the statutory and operational requirements guiding public procurement. The training covered key areas and stages of the procurement cycle, including needs assessment, planning, requisition, specifications, quotations, evaluation, approvals, contract management, documentation, compliance and responsibilities of various stakeholders in the procurement processes.

Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments and Heads of Units expressed delight at the Vice-Chancellor’s initiative in organising the workshop. They expressed confidence that the engagement with the BPP would deepen staff understanding of procurement requirements and foster greater efficiency, transparency and accountability across the University.

19/08/2026

15/08/2026

TURN KNOWLEDGE INTO SOLUTIONS, MOUAU VC CHARGES POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS

By Joy Nlebedum, Ginger Eke Collins and Anyim Sunday

The Vice-chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa has charged newly admitted postgraduate students to turn their knowledge and research into practical solutions that will positively impact society.

Delivering her address, the Vice-chancellor represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Development, Prof. Princewill Ogbonna gave the charge at the 4th Orientation Exercise for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 Academic Sessions of the Postgraduate School, held at the Senator Anyim Pius Auditorium.

Congratulating the students on their admission, Prof. Akanwa urged them to pursue their studies with discipline, intellectual curiosity, hard work and responsibility. She encouraged them to engage critically in research activities that will bring solutions to societal challenges.

She reaffirmed Management’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for postgraduate education and impactful research through innovation, digitization, entrepreneurship and strategic partnerships.

While speaking at the event, the Dean, Postgraduate School, Engr. Prof. Ogbonna I. Okoro, gave an overview of the School and highlighted the academic rules and regulations guiding postgraduate studies.

He explained that the orientation was designed to acquaint students with postgraduate procedures and expectations, while promoting effective time management, productivity and timely completion of programmes.

The Dean urged the students to maintain productive relationships with their supervisors, undertake independent research and maximize the University’s academic environment. He further reiterated MOUAU’s zero tolerance for extortion, sexual harassment, examination malpractice, intimidation, cultism and other forms of academic misconduct, charging the students to uphold integrity and responsible conduct throughout their studies.

13/08/2026

PROF. AKANWA RECEIVES DELEGATION OF UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, EXPRESSES MOUAU'S READINESS TO DEEPEN ITS GLOBAL VISIBILITY

By Sunday Anyim Okorie, Joy Nlebedum and Ginger-Eke Collins

The Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Prof. Ursala Ngozi Akanwa, has expressed the University's readiness to deepen strategic international partnerships that will advance research, innovation, scholarship exchange, capacity building for the University's global visibility.

Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, stated this while receiving a high-level delegation from the University of Waterloo (UWaterloo), Ontario, Canada, led by Mr. Grant Leach, Senior Recruiter and Business Development Strategist at the University.

Prof. Akanwa described the visit as a valuable opportunity to connect MOUAU's academic and research expertise with global partners, stressing that the University remained open to collaborations capable of creating meaningful opportunities for researchers, academic staff and students.

She emphasized that strategic international partnerships would enable the University to strengthen research development, knowledge exchange and sustainable development, particularly in areas where collaborative efforts could produce measurable impact.

The engagement, held at the Conference Room of the Vice-Chancellor in the presence of the University's expanded Management team, provided an opportunity for both institutions to explore areas of mutual interest and pathways for sustainable collaboration.

The University of Waterloo delegation, which included Dr. Adra Raine, Associate Director, Pan-African Initiative for Research (PAIR), and Prof. Onyeka Ezeh, Professor of Linguistics, presented opportunities available to prospective partner institutions.

Mr. Leach and other members of the delegation highlighted University of Waterloo's research ecosystem, innovation platforms, academic networks and opportunities for international collaboration.

In a reciprocal presentation, the Director, Directorate of Advancement, MOUAU, Prof. Kennedy Onyelowe, showcased the University's academic, research and infrastructural strengths, particularly in agriculture, science, technology, innovation and other multidisciplinary fields.

Prof. Onyelowe's presentation highlighted the expertise and institutional resources available at MOUAU and demonstrated its potential as a strategic partner for international institutions.

The meeting subsequently featured an open exchange on possible areas of collaboration, with both institutions exploring practical ways of translating the identified opportunities into sustainable partnerships.

The engagement marks another step in MOUAU's drive to strengthen its international profile, expand collaborative research opportunities and position itself as a globally competitive institution.

29/07/2026

MOUAU BEGINS REFUNDING SCHOOL FEES TO STUDENTS WHO PAID BEFORE NELFUND DISBURSEMENT

By Ginger Eke Collins

It was jubilation galore as Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), began refunding school fees to students who paid before the Federal Government disbursed funds under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with MOUAU UPDATE confirmed they had received their refund and expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor Prof Ursula Ngozi Akanwa for fulfilling her promise.

A graduate of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Onu Edith Amarachukwu, said she received her refund on July 28, 2026. "I am very happy. I had planned to use the money for something important. I thank God and the Vice-Chancellor for making this possible," she said.

Also speaking, Ikechi Divine, a 500 Level student of Chemical Engineering, said he had almost given up hope of receiving the refund. "I nearly lost hope that the refund would not come. May God bless our Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, for fulfilling her promise in less than one week," he said.

A 300 Level Civil Engineering student, Samuel Onyeka Ozondiniru, described the refund as a clear demonstration of the Vice-Chancellor's commitment to students' welfare. "The Vice Chancellor has truly shown that she is a mother. She kept her promise, and this has restored the confidence of many students. We are grateful for this kind gesture," he said.

Recall that during the inauguration and swearing in of the newly elected Students' Union Government (SUG) last week, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, announced that she had directed the University Bursar to immediately refund students who paid their school fees before the Federal Government disbursed their NELFUND loans.

She said the decision was to ensure that students were not denied the benefit of the scheme.