Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, has been installed as Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.
The appointment took place on Saturday, 25 April 2026, during the institution’s 16th Convocation Ceremony at the Convocation Arena of the Igbariam Campus. The event drew scholars, dignitaries, students, and well-wishers celebrating academic achievement and institutional progress.
Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, conducted the installation. In his remarks, Governor Soludo thanked Bishop Kukah for accepting the role, describing the appointment as a major gain for the university. He noted that Bishop Kukah’s experience, moral authority, and national standing would enhance the institution’s growth and reputation.
A statement from the Director of Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Reverend Father Pascal Salifu, confirmed that the new Chancellor presided over the conferment of first degrees, postgraduate diplomas, and higher degrees—a significant milestone for graduating students.
In his address, Bishop Kukah stressed the urgent need to strengthen academic standards, deepen institutional values, and position the university for greater heights within Nigeria’s educational landscape.
He was accompanied by key diocesan figures, including the Chancellor of the Diocese, Very Reverend Father Nuhu Iliya; the Bishop’s Secretary, Sister Celestina Akpan DDL; Father Salifu; and Reverend Father Dr Atta Barkindo, Director of the Kukah Centre.
The convocation marked not only the award of academic honours but also the beginning of a new leadership chapter for the university—one defined by vision, integrity, and a renewed commitment to excellence under Bishop Kukah’s stewardship.
