Professors Nwankwo, Dibua and Anigbogu Emerge as New Heads as Faculty of Management Sciences, UNIZIK Conducts HOD Elections
The Faculty of Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, on Friday, 3rd July, 2026, successfully conducted elections for the emergence of Heads of Department (HODs) in four departments, with three departments producing duly elected Heads, while the Department of Marketing did not produce an elected Head.
The election, which covered the Departments of Public Administration, Marketing, Co-operative Economics and Management, and Business Administration, commenced with the accreditation of eligible voters by the Faculty Administration Officer, Mrs. Nkiru Nnonyelu, and her team, ensuring a transparent, credible and orderly electoral process.
Welcoming delegates to the exercise, the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Francis Obioha Nwankwo, said the time had come to democratically pass the baton of leadership in the affected departments. He urged all eligible academic staff to exercise their franchise wisely and in the best interest of their respective departments.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, who served as the Chief Returning Officer, was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Alex Asigbo. Addressing the gathering, Prof. Asigbo reaffirmed the University’s commitment to democratic governance, noting that the election of Heads of Department through a transparent process enables members of the academic community to freely choose their leaders. He encouraged all contestants to regard the exercise as an opportunity to serve and make meaningful contributions to the growth and development of their departments.
In the Department of Public Administration, 37 academic staff members were accredited to vote. The sole candidate, Prof. Basil Nwankwo, secured 24 “YES” votes against 13 “NO” votes and was consequently returned as the duly elected Head of Department.
In the Department of Business Administration, Prof. Emmanuel Dibua, also unopposed, received unanimous support, polling all 29 “YES” votes cast, with no “NO” vote recorded. He was therefore declared the duly elected Head of Department.
The election in the Department of Co-operative Economics and Management was contested between Prof. I.D.O. Chilokwu and Prof. Theresa Anigbogu. At the end of the voting, Prof. Chilokwu secured two votes, while Prof. Anigbogu polled 23 votes to emerge as the duly elected Head of Department.
The Department of Marketing, however, did not produce an elected Head of Department. The sole candidate, Prof. Emmanuel Ezenyilimba, received seven “YES” votes and eight “NO” votes, thereby failing to secure the required approval for election. Consequently, the Vice-Chancellor will appoint a Head of Department for the Department in accordance with the University’s established procedures.
The successful conduct of the elections once again underscores Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s unwavering commitment to transparency, democratic governance and participatory leadership in the administration of its academic units.