Prof Nnenna Oti

Prof Nnenna Nnannaya Oti, born on November 15, 1958, in Afikpo North Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, is a distinguished academic, administrator, and a symbol of integrity in Nigeria’s electoral process. She made history as the first female Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) and gained national recognition for her pivotal role as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer in the 2023 Abia State gubernatorial election. Her firm commitment to academic excellence, governance, and transparency has earned her widespread admiration.

Early Life and Education

Professor Oti hails from Afikpo North, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. She is Igbo by ethnicity and has credited her upbringing and Christian faith for shaping her integrity and professional principles. She married Dr. Nnannaya Oti, and together they have three children.

Her academic journey is marked by brilliance and excellence. She obtained multiple degrees, all with distinction:

• B.Sc. in Soil Science (1982) – University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

  • Graduated First-Class Honors
  • Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Agriculture
  • Winner of the Federal Government Merit Award and U.A.C. Prize for Best Student in Agriculture

• M.Sc. in Soil Science (1986) – University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

  • Specialization: Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry

• Postgraduate Diploma in Irrigation Engineering (1987) – Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium

  • Completed with Distinction
  • Received a European Economic Community scholarship

• Ph.D. in Soil and Environmental Conservation (2002) – Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)

  • Won the National Universities Commission (NUC) Best Ph.D. Thesis Award (2002), marking her work as the best doctoral research in Nigeria that year.

Throughout her studies, she received multiple scholarships, including a World Bank grant (1995) for overseas academic development.

Academic and Professional Career

Professor Oti’s 34-year academic career is distinguished by teaching, research, administration, and leadership in Nigeria’s education sector. She is a Professor of Soil Science and Environmental Conservation and has served in numerous academic and administrative capacities:

• Head of the Department of Soil Science and Technology, FUTO (Three Terms)
• Dean, Postgraduate School, FUTO (Two Terms)
• Chairperson, Committee of Deans
• Chairperson, Gender Policy Unit, FUTO
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), FUTO
• Consultant to Government and Private Sector Agencies, including TETFund, National Biotechnology Development Agency, and Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority
• Visiting Scholar at The Ohio State University, USA (1996–1997)
• Adjunct Professor at Imo State University (IMSU) (2009–2020)
• Visiting Professor at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (2013–2015)

She has published over 70 peer-reviewed papers and delivered over 100 invited lectures on topics such as soil conservation, gender equality, youth empowerment, and governance.

Vice-Chancellor of FUTO (2021 – Present)

On April 13, 2021, Professor Oti was elected as the first female Vice-Chancellor of FUTO, emerging as the top candidate among seven finalists with 75.5% of the selection panel’s score. She officially assumed office on June 19, 2021, succeeding Prof. Francis Eze.

Achievements as Vice-Chancellor

• Improved research and academic quality at FUTO
• Launched new gender policies for inclusion and diversity
• Led FUTO’s World Bank-funded Center of Excellence in Environmental Sustainability Research
• Strengthened partnerships with industry stakeholders for student training and employment

The 2021 FUTO Professorship Controversy

One of the major controversies in her tenure arose in 2021, when FUTO’s Governing Council awarded a professorial title to Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy. The decision was met with outrage from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which declared the appointment illegal and vowed to sanction those responsible, including Prof. Oti. ASUU argued that Pantami lacked the necessary academic qualifications and experience to hold a professorial title.

Despite widespread criticism from academics and the public, FUTO defended the appointment, claiming it followed due process. ASUU threatened legal action, leading FUTO to file a lawsuit against ASUU in February 2022 to challenge its interference. The controversy remains a subject of debate in Nigerian academia.

Role in the 2023 Abia State Gubernatorial Election

Professor Oti gained national prominence as the INEC Returning Officer in the March 18, 2023, Abia State gubernatorial election. Her role was to collate and announce the final election results.

Challenges Faced During the Election

• She was pressured by political operatives to manipulate election results.
• Bribery attempts were made, but she refused to compromise.
• She faced threats and intimidation but remained steadfast.

Historic Declaration of Results

On March 22, 2023, Professor Oti officially announced the results, declaring Alex Otti of the Labour Party as the winner, defeating Okey Ahiwe of the PDP with 175,467 votes to 88,529.

Her famous statement, “If I perish, I perish”, became a national slogan for integrity in governance.

Political Backlash

The outgoing Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu (PDP), accused Professor Oti of bias. He claimed that he had warned INEC about her, citing a “coincidence in names” between her and Alex Otti, suggesting she might have been partial. However, INEC stood by her, and there was no evidence of misconduct on her part.

Public Recognition and Awards

Professor Oti’s firm stance against electoral manipulation earned her widespread admiration:

• Governor Alex Otti publicly honored her in 2023, acknowledging that her refusal to be influenced was instrumental in ensuring a free and fair election.
• She was celebrated as a “Heroine of Democracy” on social media and in public discourse.
• FUTO officially recognized her contributions, calling her an “Ambassador of Truth”.
• Women’s organizations, student groups, and political analysts praised her courage.

Her role in the 2023 election cemented her legacy as an individual who stood firm under pressure, proving that ethical leadership can prevail in Nigerian politics.

Legacy and Impact

Professor Nnenna Oti’s career and public service are defined by integrity, resilience, and academic excellence. She has played a transformative role in Nigerian higher education, pioneered women’s leadership in STEM, and demonstrated courage in electoral governance. Her legacy will inspire future generations of Nigerian scholars, administrators, and public servants.

She continues to lead FUTO, uphold academic standards, and advocate for good governance in Nigeria.

References (Chicago Style)

1. Wikipedia Contributors. “Nnenna Oti.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Last modified March 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nnenna_Oti
2. The Guardian Nigeria. “Oti Emerges FUTO’s First Female VC.” The Guardian, April 15, 2021. https://guardian.ng/news/oti-emerges-futos-first-female-vc
3. Vanguard Nigeria. “How Politicians Tried to Bribe Oti to Manipulate Abia Election.” Vanguard, March 29, 2023. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/03/how-politicians-tried-to-bribe-oti-to-manipulate-abia-election
4. Daily Trust Nigeria. “I Was Pressurized to Manipulate Abia Election – Oti.” Daily Trust, March 29, 2023. https://dailytrust.com/i-was-pressurized-to-manipulate-abia-election-oti

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