FUTO APPOINTS PROF . I.N.S. DOZIE AS NEW VICE CHANCELLOR
By Emeka Amaefula
The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) has appointed Professor Ikechukwu Nosike Simplicius Dozie as its new Vice-Chancellor, marking a notable return to the institution where he built much of his academic and administrative career.
The appointment follows an election conducted by the University’s Governing Council on April 23, 2026. Prof. Dozie, who currently serves as Vice-Chancellor of Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University (KOMU), Ogboko, becomes one of the few academics in Nigeria to transition from leading one university back to head another where he previously served in key leadership roles.
According to a press statement issued by Dr. Ik Ogbonna, a university lecturer and public relations practitioner, Prof. Dozie’s journey reflects a rare blend of scholarship, institutional leadership, and administrative excellence within Nigeria’s higher education system.
Prof. Dozie began his academic career at Imo State University, Owerri, before transferring his service to FUTO in 2011. At FUTO, he held several strategic positions, including Head of the Department of Public Health, pioneer Dean of the School of Health Technology, and Director of Linkages and Advancement. He also served on the university’s 11th Governing Council as an elected Senate representative.
During his tenure as Dean, the School of Health Technology achieved full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for programmes in Optometry and Public Health. The school also produced FUTO’s first Doctor of Optometry and PhD graduates in Public Health, and hosted the institution’s maiden International Congress on Health Sciences and Technology.
A Professor of Microbiology with over three decades of experience in teaching, research, and university administration, Prof. Dozie has attracted and managed several research grants from reputable organisations, including WHO/TDR, CODESRIA, TETFund, and the World Bank STEP-B initiative. He has supervised more than 200 undergraduate projects, over 35 MSc/MPH theses, and 10 PhD dissertations.
His academic contributions include delivering FUTO’s 34th Inaugural Lecture and mentoring the university’s first Fulbright Scholar, further underscoring his influence in academic development and mentorship.
Prof. Dozie’s leadership trajectory led him to Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, where he currently serves as Vice-Chancellor. His tenure there has been characterised by efforts to strengthen accreditation standards, expand research capacity, and foster institutional partnerships.
His return to FUTO is widely seen as a strategic move that positions the university to benefit from his extensive experience in university governance, research development, and programme accreditation. Observers note that his familiarity with FUTO’s system is expected to enable him to assume office seamlessly and drive institutional growth from the outset.
Profile: Prof. I.N.S. Dozie
Professor Dozie is a distinguished academic and public health microbiologist with over 30 years of experience. His expertise spans infectious diseases, health systems, and higher education leadership, with a strong commitment to innovation, partnerships, and the development of globally competitive graduates.
He holds a Ph.D. in Medical Entomology and Parasitology from the University of Jos (2002), an M.Sc. in Medical Microbiology (1991), and a B.Sc. in Microbiology/Biochemistry (Combined Honours) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1986).
Over the years, he has demonstrated strong competencies in university leadership, strategic planning, research grant management, curriculum development, and international collaboration. His research interests cover tropical infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and other public health challenges.
Prof. Dozie has also participated in international leadership development programmes, including the Management of Higher Education Institutions Seminar at the Galilee International Management Institute in Israel, in collaboration with Harvard Extension School.
He is married to Dr. Chinomso Patricia Dozie of the Directorate of General Studies, FUTO.
— Emeka Amaefula
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