The announcement of his appointment was made on Saturday, December 20, 2025, by the University’s Governing Council after deliberations involving over 40 seasoned professors who participated in the screening and evaluation process.
Professor Nwachukwu, a distinguished academic and Professor of Cardiovascular Physiology in the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), brings to the role a wealth of administrative and research experience. He was elected Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UNEC in 2023, a position in which he contributed to academic planning and institutional development.
In his acceptance remarks, the new Vice Chancellor pledged to prioritise staff welfare and foster an inclusive leadership style anchored on integrity and empathy. He assured members of the university community of his commitment to advancing the institution’s growth through collaboration and innovation.
He acknowledged that challenges lie ahead but expressed confidence in the collective resolve of staff and students to overcome them. According to him, unity, creativity, and determination will be key to transforming obstacles into opportunities and repositioning the university for greater achievements.
Professor Nwachukwu also emphasised the need to strengthen academic standards, promote research excellence, and build on the university’s existing foundations to enhance its national and global visibility.
During the handover ceremony, the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Professor Sunday Elom, highlighted key milestones recorded under his administration. He noted a significant rise in research output, with academic staff publishing in high-impact journals and attracting grants from both local and international funding agencies.
Professor Elom further disclosed that the university witnessed notable expansion in its academic structure during his tenure. The number of faculties increased from 11 to 14, while departments grew from 41 to 54. Academic programmes also rose from 57 to 64, reflecting efforts to broaden course offerings and meet emerging educational demands.
Student enrolment equally recorded substantial growth, increasing from about 9,000 to nearly 14,000 students within the period.
The transition marks a new chapter for AE-FUNAI as stakeholders anticipate continuity in academic excellence, infrastructural development, and institutional reforms under Professor Nwachukwu’s leadership.