Prof. Chinedu Aguba Emerges NAEAP National President, Pledges to Protect Educational Administrators’ Interests
By Ike Enemoh
SOKOTO — Professor Chinedu Aguba of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu, has emerged as the 11th National President of the Nigerian Association for Educational Administration and Planning (NAEAP), following a keenly contested election at the association’s 45th Annual National Conference in Sokoto.
Aguba, a Professor of Educational Management and Fellow of NAEAP, secured 73 votes to defeat his challenger, Professor M. S. Dada of the University of Abuja, who polled 42 votes in the election held on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
The election took place during the association’s 45th Annual (Hybrid) Conference, tagged Caliphate 2026, held from Monday, October 5, to Friday, October 9, 2026, at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Auditorium, Sokoto. The conference was organised under the theme, “Managing and Sustaining Education in an Era of Subsidies Removal in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects.”
The theme brought into focus the challenges confronting Nigeria’s education sector in the wake of subsidy removal, particularly the implications for educational financing, institutional sustainability, access to quality education and the effective deployment of available resources. It also underscored the importance of sound educational administration, strategic planning and responsible leadership in helping educational institutions navigate changing economic realities.
Aguba’s emergence marks a significant milestone in his professional journey, having served NAEAP in various capacities for two uninterrupted decades. His election is expected to usher in a new phase of leadership focused on institutional strengthening, professional advancement and the repositioning of educational administration and planning in Nigeria.
The election was conducted during a conference that brought together distinguished scholars, education practitioners and other stakeholders to deliberate on the future of educational leadership and management in the country. Participants described the exercise as peaceful, transparent and credible, reflecting the association’s commitment to democratic leadership and institutional continuity.
The conference attracted an array of distinguished personalities from the education sector, including the Vice-Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Professor Bashir Garba, MFR; prominent academics; professors; education practitioners; political leaders; heads of government parastatals; and the representative of the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III.
The gathering provided a platform for critical discussions on educational leadership, planning, governance and the need to strengthen professional institutions responsible for shaping the direction of Nigeria’s education system.
In his acceptance speech, Professor Aguba expressed appreciation to members of the association for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to lead with integrity, inclusiveness, accountability and an unwavering commitment to the collective interests of educational administrators and planners across the country.
He assured members that protecting their professional interests would be a central responsibility of his administration. He pledged to promote their welfare, advance their professional standing and ensure that the concerns of educational administrators and planners receive appropriate attention in discussions and decisions affecting the education sector.
Aguba also emphasised that the success of his presidency would depend on the cooperation and commitment of the entire National Executive Council. He pledged to work harmoniously with all members of his executive, irrespective of their individual positions, and to foster an atmosphere of mutual respect, consultation, transparency and shared responsibility.
He indicated that his administration would encourage open communication, constructive engagement and collective decision-making, giving every executive member the opportunity to contribute ideas, expertise and initiatives towards the advancement of the association.
The new president’s commitment to teamwork reflects an understanding that institutional transformation requires more than individual leadership. It demands a united executive, an engaged membership and a common determination to translate policy intentions into tangible results.
He also signalled his readiness to build bridges across institutions, regions and professional interests, stressing the importance of unity in pursuing the association’s objectives. His administration is expected to focus on strengthening internal structures, promoting professional development, deepening stakeholder engagement and ensuring that NAEAP remains responsive to the needs of its members.
His pledge to protect educational administrators’ interests comes at a time when effective educational leadership, sound planning, institutional accountability and the professional development of education managers remain critical to improving educational outcomes in Nigeria.
Aguba’s extensive experience within NAEAP, having served in several national and regional capacities since 2006, is expected to provide a solid foundation for his administration. His familiarity with the association’s structures, programmes and challenges could prove valuable as he works to implement his transformation agenda.
His presidency is anchored on the vision, “Together We Rebuild NAEAP,” which places emphasis on collective ownership, institutional renewal, stronger professional relationships and a more responsive association.
Established in 1977, NAEAP has played an important role in the advancement of educational administration and planning in Nigeria. Over the decades, it has provided a professional platform for scholars, researchers, educational managers, policymakers and practitioners to exchange ideas, disseminate research findings and contribute to the development of education policy and practice.
The association’s academic journals and conferences have also provided avenues for professional development and scholarly engagement for researchers and practitioners within and beyond Nigeria.
NAEAP maintains international professional connections through its affiliation with the Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Management (CCEAM) and its relationship with the British Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society (BELMAS).
The association is preparing to mark its 50th anniversary in 2027, an important milestone that will provide an opportunity to reflect on its contributions to educational development and chart a renewed course for the future.
Aguba’s election therefore comes at a defining moment in the association’s history, as it approaches its Golden Jubilee and seeks to consolidate its professional relevance, strengthen its institutional structures and expand its contribution to national educational development.
The new president succeeds Professor G. G. Kpee of Rivers State, who served from 2022 to 2026.
Since its establishment, NAEAP has been led by distinguished scholars whose contributions have helped shape the development of educational administration and planning in Nigeria.
Its past national presidents include the late Emeritus Professor B. O. Ukeje, who served from 1977 to 1986; Emeritus Professor Nicholas A. Nwagwu, 1986–1990; the late Professor J. A. Aghenta, 1990–1994; Professor S. O. Igwe, 1994–2000; the late Professor E. O. Fagbamiye, 2000–2006; Professor G. O. Akpa, 2006–2010; Professor G. U. Emetarom, 2010–2014; Professor D. O. Durosaro, 2014–2018; Professor Hauwa Imam, 2018–2022; and Professor G. G. Kpee, 2022–2026.
Aguba now joins this distinguished succession of academic leaders, bringing to the office a combination of university administration, union leadership, community service, professional engagement and long-standing involvement in the association.
Eke Town Union Caretaker Committee Inaugurated And Charged To Uphold Unity In Eke
Prof. Chinedu Aguba: A Scholar, Administrator and Community Leader
Professor Chinedu Aguba, FNAEAP, FCAI and MNAE, is a Professor of Educational Management at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu. He hails from Eke in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
A scholar whose career spans university administration, professional leadership and community development, Aguba is a product of ESUT, where he obtained all his academic degrees: Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Management.
His academic journey and subsequent rise through the ranks of university administration reflect a sustained commitment to educational management, leadership development and the advancement of higher education.
Academic Leadership and University Administration
Aguba has held several strategic positions at ESUT, contributing to academic administration, research coordination and institutional development.
He was the pioneer Head of the Department of Educational Management from 2015 to 2020, a role that placed him at the forefront of establishing and strengthening the department’s academic and administrative structures.
Between 2024 and 2026, he served as Director of the university’s Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office, where his responsibilities included an area of growing importance to research, innovation and the effective management of intellectual property in higher education.
He is currently the Director of the Institute of Education, ESUT, a position that further reflects the university’s confidence in his administrative experience and professional expertise.
Beyond his university management responsibilities, Aguba served as Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ESUT Branch, from 2016 to 2024. His eight-year tenure in the union placed him at the centre of engagements involving academic staff welfare, university governance and the broader interests of the university community.
His academic contributions have also earned him recognition, including the ESUT Best Lecturer Award at the departmental and faculty levels in 2013 and 2014.
He has served as an external examiner to more than 12 universities across Nigeria and has edited several academic journals, further demonstrating his involvement in scholarship, research assessment and the dissemination of knowledge.
Community Leadership and the Restoration of Peace in Eke
Beyond the university environment and professional associations, Professor Aguba has also served his home community as President-General of Eke Town Union, the community’s central town union leadership structure.
His tenure in the position is associated with efforts to address internal disagreements, restore peace and strengthen constitutional governance within the community. Working with other members of his executive committee, Aguba contributed to efforts aimed at rebuilding trust, restoring order and re-establishing respect for the town union’s constitution.
A particularly significant aspect of the administration was the conduct of a town union election regarded by community stakeholders as one of the most credible in Eke in more than a decade.
The exercise represented an important step towards restoring confidence in the town union’s electoral process and reinforcing the principles of participation, constitutional order and legitimate community leadership.
The experience offered Aguba another dimension of leadership beyond academia, placing him in a position to engage with competing interests, manage disagreements and work collaboratively towards a common objective.
His community service also provides an additional perspective on the leadership approach he brings to NAEAP: the need to foster unity, respect established rules, encourage participation and build institutions capable of commanding the confidence of their members.
Although the responsibilities of a national professional association differ from those of a town union, both demand consultation, credible processes, accountability and the ability to unite people around shared goals.
Aguba’s experience in community leadership therefore complements his record in university administration, trade union leadership and professional service.
Twenty Years of Service to NAEAP
One of the defining features of Aguba’s professional profile is his long-standing relationship with NAEAP, where he has served on the National Executive Council for 20 consecutive years, from 2006 to 2026.
His service within the association has taken him through several positions, giving him extensive experience in its administrative structures, professional activities and national engagements.
He served as National Assistant Secretary from 2006 to 2010, National Public Relations Officer from 2010 to 2012, and National Ex-Officio II from 2012 to 2014.
He subsequently served as Coordinator of the Enugu State Chapter from 2014 to 2018, National Social Secretary from 2018 to 2022, and National Ex-Officio I and South-East Coordinator from 2022 to 2026.
Aguba also chaired the Local Organising Committee for two NAEAP national conferences hosted by ESUT, demonstrating his experience in conference planning, stakeholder coordination and the organisation of major professional events.
His progression through these positions has given him a detailed understanding of the association’s operations and the expectations of its members across different institutions and regions.
That institutional experience is likely to be an important asset as he assumes the presidency and works to translate his transformation agenda into practical programmes and measurable achievements.
Professional Affiliations and Recognition
Aguba is a member of the Nigerian Academy of Education and a Fellow of the Nigerian Association for Educational Administration and Planning.
He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Corporate Administration and a member of the British Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society.
His professional engagements extend to public-sector education initiatives. He served as a member of the Enugu State Education Sector Reform Committee in 2019 and has been a resource person to the Enugu State Ministry of Education since 2025.
These affiliations and engagements reflect his participation in professional networks and education-related initiatives beyond the immediate confines of his university.
Traditional Distinction
Beyond academia and professional administration, Aguba holds the traditional title of Nnebuligwe and is a member of the prestigious Ozo Society in Igbo land.
The title, as explained in his official profile, conveys a profound cultural appreciation of the value and significance of motherhood, reflecting the enduring place of family, tradition and communal identity in Igbo society.
As he assumes the leadership of NAEAP, Aguba brings together his academic background, administrative experience, community service, professional affiliations and cultural identity in a career that spans several dimensions of public and institutional service.
With the association approaching its Golden Jubilee in 2027, his election presents an opportunity to consolidate its achievements, strengthen professional collaboration and renew its commitment to educational administration and planning in Nigeria.
For members of NAEAP, the immediate expectation will be that the new administration translates its promises into concrete action, protects the interests of educational administrators and planners, strengthens the association’s internal structures and promotes a culture of unity, accountability and shared responsibility.
Aguba’s message, “Together We Rebuild NAEAP,” captures the central challenge and opportunity before his administration: to unite members around a common purpose and position the association for a stronger and more consequential role in Nigeria’s educational development.
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