ESUT Celebrate Prof. Aguba’s Emergence as NAEAP National President
By Ike Enemoh
The management of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), alongside members of its Faculty of Education, has celebrated Professor Chinedu Aguba following his emergence as the 11th National President of the Nigerian Association for Educational Administration and Planning (NAEAP).
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, conveyed the institution’s congratulations and goodwill on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, during a reception organised in honour of Aguba, who serves as Director of the Institute of Education at ESUT.
Aguba’s election, which took place on October 8 during NAEAP’s 45th Annual Conference at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, saw him secure 73 votes to defeat Professor M. S. Dada of the University of Abuja, who polled 42 votes.
The conference, held under the theme, “Managing and Sustaining Education in an Era of Subsidies Removal in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects,” brought together scholars and education practitioners to examine the challenges confronting the sector and explore strategies for sustaining educational development amid changing economic realities.
Speaking during the reception, Professor Okolie described Aguba’s emergence as a source of pride to ESUT and a reflection of his professional accomplishments, leadership capacity and contributions to educational administration.
The Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed the university management’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for academic staff to excel in research, innovation, community service and professional engagements beyond the institution.
He encouraged members of staff to look beyond the university environment, pursue opportunities for professional advancement and participate actively in national and international competitions, noting that ESUT possessed the intellectual resources and human capacity to achieve greater recognition.
Okolie also assured Aguba of the management’s support for NAEAP’s programmes and activities, while urging other academics to harness their potential, explore new opportunities and distinguish themselves in their respective fields.
In his response, Professor Aguba expressed appreciation to the university management for its support and encouragement, which he identified as important factors in his professional journey and emergence as NAEAP president.
He recalled that the election was held in Sokoto, the seat of the Caliphate, on October 8, 2026, describing his victory as a significant milestone in his service to the association.
Established in 1977, NAEAP is a professional body dedicated to educational administration and planning, bringing together scholars, researchers and practitioners whose work contributes to the development and management of education in Nigeria.
Aguba noted that his election represented a historic achievement for the South-East, stating that he was the first person from Enugu and Ebonyi states to emerge as national president of the association.
He dedicated the victory to ESUT, acknowledging the university management’s commitment to staff development, professional growth and the creation of opportunities for academics to contribute to national discourse.
His emergence comes after 20 consecutive years of service to NAEAP in various national and regional capacities, including as National Assistant Secretary, Public Relations Officer, Social Secretary and South-East Coordinator.
Beyond his academic and professional engagements, Aguba is a former Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ESUT Branch, and former President-General of Eke Town Union in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. His leadership experience spans university administration, professional representation and community development.
As he assumes the NAEAP presidency, Aguba has pledged to protect the interests of educational administrators and planners, promote their professional welfare and work collaboratively with members of his executive to strengthen the association.
His emergence has further brought recognition to ESUT, reinforcing the institution’s presence in national educational administration and highlighting the contributions of its academic staff to professional leadership across Nigeria.
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