Soludo Taps Influential Cleric-Scholar to Lead COOU as Chancellor, Signals New Era For Anambra Education

(Prof. Chukwuma Soludo. Photo by Punch Newspaper)

Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, has named Bishop Matthew Kukah as Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU).

Christian Aburime, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, confirmed the appointment in a statement made on Wednesday. According to the release, Kukah’s appointment is anticipated to boost the university’s global ties, encourage ethical leadership, and help generate well-rounded graduates.

Aburime identified Kukah as a respected Nigerian philosopher and cleric whose work combines academic study and the pursuit of social justice.

“Kukah is an eminent Nigerian intellectual and cleric whose contributions integrate academic scholarship with the pursuit of social justice in Nigeria,” the announcement said.

The clergyman has a broad academic background, having attended St. Augustine Major Seminary, the University of Ibadan, Pontifical Urban University, the University of Bradford, and SOAS University of London, where he received his Ph.D. in 1990. He has also studied at the University of Oxford and Harvard University.

Beyond academia, Bishop Kukah is a prolific author and the creator of The Kukah Centre, an organization dedicated to research-driven advocacy for interfaith cooperation and policy reform.

The state government stated that Kukah’s nomination demonstrated a strong commitment to academic quality, ethical governance, and international partnership at the state-owned university.