EXLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH PROFESSOR OKECHUKWU ONUCHUKWU

Okechukwu Onuchukwu is a Nigerian professor of economics and the acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education,Rivers State from 2021 to date. Prof Onuchukwu obtained his BSc, MSc and PhD degrees in 1990, 1994 and 1998 respectively in Economics at the University of Port Harcourt.

He had, at different times, creditably served as Head of Economics Department, Dean of faculty of Social Sciences and the Director of University of Port Harcourt Business School, amongst others assignments. He also served as external examiner to many institutions, a member of committees and bodies as well as consultant to states, national and international agencies.

Prof Onuchukwu has written and edited about 23 books, published about 91 journal articles. He is a life member of Nigerian Economic Society and belongs to other organisations and institutes. He has remained loved and articulated, intellectually calibrated academician that helps the students: indigent, indigenes and non-indigenes, supervising on financial support to offset their research burdens.

Prof Onuchuku is a man that loves his people, the staff and non-academic staff. A patient and optimistic fellow of first principle. Through his monthly stipends he has been able to empower his community and people that have been privileged to meet him.

A-CHOICES: How has the journey been since you assumed office as an acting VC? 

PROF.ONUCHUKWU:Well, it has been three years now. November 18th made me three years as acting V.C of this university and it has been an interesting thing the job of a vice chancellor is to provide administrative leadership and academic leadership. I am glad that I have been able to make an impact since I assumed office.

A-CHOICES: How do you engage students and create a positive learning environment?

PROF.ONUCHUKWU: Create an inclusive classroom and guaranty learning is accessible to all students by adapting the setting to their needs; such as equipped laboratories, library, E-learning facilities and secured accommodation.

A-CHOICES: What kind of university did you inherit when you came into office,what do you think are the greatest challenges confronting this university?

PROF.ONUCHUKWU: I inherited a university struggling with courses’ accreditation and limited course options for students, but I have been able to get accreditation for twenty-two (22) courses with introduction of new courses. The major challenge has been lack of funds to run the institution.

A-CHOICES: With most universities having cult-related challenges,how have you been able to control security situations?

PROF.ONUCHUKWU:We have been able to promote awareness against cultism; seminars and workshops have been organized to discuss the dangers of cultism all over our institution and also disciplinary communities had already been put in place to discipline students that are found to be  involved in such.

A-CHOICES:Could you provide an assessment of the university’s progress and development from the time you assumed office to the present?

PROF.ONUCHUKWU: Like I said earlier the job of a V.C is to provide administrative and academic leadership, I have ensured that all programmes run within allocated periods (if it is four years so shall it go without and strikes or interruptions). In terms of infrastructures, I was able to secure sponsors like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the reconstruction of new structures like the new Faculty of social sciences building and NYSC corpers’ lounge and a new entrance road into the institution. I have also introduced new programmes both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels like B.Sc Human resource management, Banking and Finance, Public administration and B.Sc Geophysics among others.

A-CHOICES: What innovations have you implemented, and what reflections do you have regarding the university’s transformation?

PROF.ONUCHUKWU:Like I had mentioned before, when I resumed this office, this school was a university of education with fewer courses. I have introduced new courses, built new faculty buildings and working on transforming the school from a university of Education into a conventional university to suit the learning needs of our teaming youths.

A-CHOICES: No doubt, there are challenges in the nation’s  education sector. As a stakeholder, how do you think we can overcome some of these challenges towards the development of the country?

PROF.ONUCHUKWU: The following must be given priority;

i. Increasing funding for education which the main problem in most of the nation’s higher institutions

ii. Improving infrastructure with regular maintenance both for staff and students

iii. Ensuring adequate power supply is allocated to proper efficient study environment.

iv. In summary, promote reading by building and equipping libraries and E-library with up-to-date books, journals, etc.

v. Support staff with research grants, encourage and sponsor their conferences where possible.

A-CHOICES: In your inaugural Lecture focused on“War of Supremacy between Unemployment and Inflation, who is the loser?”.Could you please elaborate more on that?  

PROF.ONUCHUKWU: Basically, the general public is actually the loser. We have two micro-economic evils existing side-by-side in the same economy referred to as stagflation (stagnation and inflation). Inflation index plays a key role in the economy of a nation. In a normal theory, with high inflation we may have more employment and vice versa. However, we also have another situation where some challenges arises like fall in prices, less demand, and low income generation; here high inflation will results to low employment. A New Zealand economist, A. W. Philip developed the Philip’s curve which shows an inverse relationship between unemployment and inflation; hence whenever there is an increase in inflation, we experience less employment and vice versa. This curve enable us predict and control the economic projections. However, this curve doesn’t explain what is happening in the developing countries where there is increase in inflation as well as increase in unemployment. In this case, the masses become the loser 

A-CHOICES: The fuel subsidy removal saw a past-through effect on the cost of transportation, staple food items, clothing, and other goods.The policy also hurt small business owners who power their businesses with PMS,resulting in an additional cost for goods and services.What do you have to say?

PROF.ONUCHUKWU: Actually in my opinion, there was no proper preparation before the subsidy removal. The present administration should have put in place some important measures like; fixing the refineries,or exploring modular refineries, etc. It makes no sense spending more on importation with high FOREX forcing increase in price of goods and services which have cause sufferings on the masses.

A-CHOICES: If your successors were sitting before you,what invaluable advice would you offer them for moving forward?

PROF.ONUCHUKWU: As a V.C, you must have a vision and plan on how drive it through successfully with determination, dedication, carrying out reviews of each milestones and engaging experts’ opinion where necessary. You must make sure that all the visions are fulfilled in order to make a valuable mark and name for yourself at the end of your tenure.