Bridging Faith and Academia: Governor Soludo Appoints Bishop Kukah as Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University

Bridging Faith and Academia: Governor Soludo Appoints Bishop Kukah as Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University

In a move aimed at injecting moral leadership and global academic prestige into state-owned tertiary education, the Anambra State Government has appointed the outspoken Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, as the new Chancellor of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU).

The appointment was made public on Wednesday in a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Christine Aburime. According to the release, Governor Professor Chukwuma Soludo approved the selection of Bishop Kukah to steer the university’s affairs at the chancellorial level, a position that traditionally serves as the ceremonial head and moral compass of the institution.

The state government explained that the decision was not merely ceremonial but strategic. It is aimed at strengthening the university’s leadership structure, expanding its global academic partnerships, and promoting a culture of integrity, discipline, and strong ethical values among students and faculty alike. Officials believe that Kukah’s national stature and unwavering voice on good governance will positively influence the university’s trajectory.

While the Chancellor role is largely advisory and symbolic—separate from the day-to-day management handled by the Vice-Chancellor—it carries significant weight in convocations, award ceremonies, and high-level policy advocacy. Kukah’s deep academic roots make him a fitting choice for the position.

His educational journey spans several continents and prestigious institutions. He began his formation at St. Augustine Major Seminary before moving on to the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a diploma in religious studies. He further studied at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom, and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London, where he earned his doctorate in 1990. In addition, he has undertaken advanced research and study fellowships at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom and Harvard University in the United States.

Beyond his towering presence in academia, Bishop Kukah is a prolific published author and the founder of The Kukah Centre, a renowned policy institute focused on interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and public policy reform. He is widely respected as a Nigerian cleric and scholar who has consistently combined rigorous academic scholarship with a passionate commitment to social justice, human rights, and national development.

His official installation as Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University is expected to take place in the coming weeks, with the academic community eagerly awaiting the new direction his leadership will bring.