The Management of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, a distinguished Professor of Law, as the 16th Vice-Chancellor of the University.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Public Relations Officer of the University, Inya Agha Egwu, the management said that the appointment was ratified on Sunday by the Governing Council of the University, following a transparent and merit-based selection process chaired by Engr. Kayode Ojo, Chairman of the Governing Council.
Egwu said that Professor Ortuanya “brings with him a wealth of academic and administrative experience.” He previously served as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, and is a Professor of Law at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), according to the PRO, who was quick to add that, “He is also a visiting scholar at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law.”
In addition to his academic credentials, Professor Ortuanya has held several key public service positions, including Secretary to the Enugu State Government and Commissioner for Education in Enugu State, Egwu said.
The statement further said: “His deep understanding of university governance, policy, and law, as well as his extensive leadership experience, will significantly advance the mission and vision of Nigeria’s premier university over the next five years. “The University Community congratulates Professor Ortuanya on his appointment and looks forward to a new era of academic excellence and transformational leadership.”
NewsBits reports that he emerged on Sunday after a serious contest involving 28 professors. His election has been confirmed by multiple sources. A Senior Special Assistant to Governor Peter Mbah, Mr Dan Nwomeh, posted Ortuanya’s profile. The Man, Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya:
Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, SJD, FCIArb, FCIA, is a Professor of Law and Dean of the Faculty of Law, Enugu State University of Science and Technology. As the Dean of Law, his unending passion for academic excellence and his Midas touch propelled him into improving tremendously the learning environment of law graduates of the faculty of law, ESUT.
This is reflected in the quality of graduates of the faculty that can compete globally with their counterparts and thereby reposition the faculty in the world map. Prof. Ortuanya is the immediate past Secretary to Enugu State Government (SSG) and also the Pioneer Director-General of South East Governors’ Forum.
A Former Commissioner of Education, Enugu State, with numerous educational policies and laudable contributions towards an improved educational system of Enugu State under the past administration.
He had previously served as Special Assistant to the Minister of Information and Culture of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is also the Founding/Principal Partner of Prof S.U. Ortuanya & Co (Word Chambers), an innovative and leading 21st-century top law firm that provides legal support services across diverse areas of law that touch various business sectors of the Nigerian economy.
He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 after obtaining an LLB (Hons) degree from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, in 1987. He obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from the University of Lagos in 1991 and a Doctorate in Law (SJD) from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2003. Between 2003–2005, he was a Visiting Scholar at Loyola University, Chicago School of Law in the United States of America (USA). He had served as the Director of Law Clinic and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus between 2007-2011.
Between 2013-2016, he was Director of ESUT Legal Clinic. He was previously the Head of Department of Private Law, Faculty of Law, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), as well as Director of ESUT Law Clinic. He has also served on the Human Rights Committee of the International Bar Association.
Prof. Ortuanya has published extensively in both local and international journals and has authored several top selling books including but not limited to Law of Evidence in Nigeria: Practice and Procedure; HIV/AIDS Law and Policy in Nigeria; Public Health Law and Policy in Nigeria; Human Rights Law in Nigeria: Law, Practice and International Perspectives; Health Law Legislation in Nigeria and Fighting on the Side of Law and Justice: Legal Essays in Honour of Professor G.O.S. Amadi among others.
He is a specialist in Law of Evidence, Criminal Law, Human Rights Law, Legal Drafting, Public Health Law, and Corporate Law. Prof. Ortuanya is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators; Fellow, Chartered Institute of Administration of Nigeria; Member of American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics; a member, American Health Lawyers Association, and a member of International Bar Association (IBA), among many others.
