IGNATIUS AJURU UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION
Rumuolumeni, P.M.B. 5047, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR
PROF. OKECHUKU ONUCHUKU DSSRS Official Email: vicechancellor@iaue.edu.ng
Professor of Economics
Website: www.iaue.edu.ng
Ag. Vice Chancellor
Official Press Release
Ref: IAUE/VC/VOL. 1/003
Date: 31 October 2026
WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE VICE CHANCELLOR ON THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE 2026/2027 ACADEMIC SESSION
The Pro-Chancellor and other Members of the Governing Council, Principal Officers, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, Academic and Non-Academic Staff, Dear Students, Alumni, Development Partners, Friends of the University, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with immense gratitude to God Almighty and a profound sense of responsibility that I warmly welcome you all to the commencement of the 2026/2027 Academic Session of our great institution, the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt.
At the outset, I give all glory, honour, and thanksgiving to God Almighty for His mercies, protection, wisdom, and benevolence upon our University community. His grace has sustained us through another successful academic cycle and has enabled us to continue advancing our mandate of academic excellence, human capital development, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and community service.
On behalf of the University Management, I express our deep appreciation to the Government and people of Rivers State for their unwavering support, commitment, and investment in the growth and development of this institution. The increment in staff salaries has motivated many staff members to improve their productivity. We remain grateful for the enabling environment and strategic backing that continue to position Ignatius Ajuru University of Education as a leading institution in teacher education, research, innovation, and technological transformation.
I also extend profound appreciation to our esteemed Governing Council for providing quality oversight, strategic governance, and policy direction; to the Management Team for their commitment to institutional effectiveness; to our dedicated staff for their professionalism and diligence; to our students for their discipline, resilience, and academic focus; and to our numerous friends, partners, and stakeholders whose goodwill and support continue to contribute significantly to the progress of the University.
As Vice Chancellor, I am particularly delighted by the high level of cooperation, understanding, and mutual respect that exists among our staff and students. Despite our varying interests, opinions, aspirations, and personalities, we have continued to function as one united academic community driven by a common vision of excellence.
Indeed, one of the defining characteristics of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education is our ability to celebrate diversity while strengthening unity. Though we belong to different religions, cultures, traditions, ethnic groups, and social backgrounds, we have remained united by our common purpose. This institution has brought us together as a family where ideas are exchanged freely, opinions are respected, talents are nurtured, growth is encouraged, and collective contributions are directed towards the advancement of society.
Our shared commitment to peace, inclusion, innovation, scholarship, and service has enabled us to build a vibrant University community that continues to make meaningful contributions to education and national development. This culture of harmonious coexistence remains one of our greatest institutional strengths and should be preserved for generations to come. May I present some critical information as a guiding light into the 2026/2027 academic session.
- IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE 2026/2027 ACADEMIC SESSION
In accordance with the approved University Academic Calendar, students and staff are advised to take note of the following critical academic and administrative dates:
1a. Academic Activities and Registration
- Resumption for the 2026/2027 Academic Session: Monday, November 9, 2026
- Registration for Returning Students Begins: Monday, November 9, 2026
- Registration for 100 Level Students: Already ongoing since September 16, 2026
- Lectures Begin for Returning Students (Except SIWES Students): Monday, November 23, 2026
- Lectures Begin for Fresh Students: Monday, November 30, 2026
1b. University Portal Activation and Digital Engagements
- University Portal Opens for Fees Payment: Monday, September 28, 2026
- University Portal Closes for Fees Payment: Tuesday, December 15, 2026
- Booking of Hostel and Payments are also activated online.
- All payments have been activated online on our Robust Enterprise Schools Portal. We are online! Our Digital Ecosystem is secure and assured!
1c. Students Result Portal (SRP)
- Course Registration Opens on SRP: Monday, November 9, 2026
- Course Registration Ends on SRP: Tuesday, December 15, 2026
Therefore, to ensure efficient administrative workflow, Heads of Departments are pleased advised to conclude the onboarding of Courses on SRP to enable students to conclude registration timely.
1d. NELFUND Registration
- NELFUND Registration Portal Opens: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
- NELFUND Registration Portal Closes: Thursday, December 31, 2026
I strongly urge all students to adhere strictly to these timelines. Compliance with registration schedules, course registration requirements, fees payment obligations, and other academic processes are essential for maintaining good academic standing and ensuring seamless participation in University activities. I also urge interested students to apply and benefit from the NELFUND scheme.
- GENERAL EVALUATION OF THE 2025/2026 ACADEMIC SESSION AND OUTLOOK FOR THE 2026/2027 SESSION
As we conclude the 2025/2026 Academic Session, I am pleased to report that the University has continued to record significant achievements across its academic, administrative, technological, and entrepreneurial domains.
The session ends on a successful note as our final-year students are actively defending their projects across departments and faculties in preparation for the forthcoming Convocation Ceremonies. This milestone reflects the University’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence and timely programme completion.
We are particularly encouraged by the quality of research being undertaken by our students. Their scholarly activities are increasingly focused on addressing societal challenges, advancing emerging technologies, promoting innovation, and generating practical solutions for sustainable development. Such efforts embody the University’s vision of producing globally competitive graduates who are equipped to solve contemporary problems.
Management commends our Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, Project Coordinators, Supervisors, and other members of staff for their effective coordination and commitment to ensuring that project defenses are conducted professionally, transparently, and within approved timelines.
We are equally proud of the commitment demonstrated by academic leaders and staff in adhering faithfully to the University Academic Calendar. This discipline has strengthened institutional efficiency and ensured that our students complete their programmes and graduate within record time.
Furthermore, we commend our lecturers at all levels for their commitment to teaching excellence, timely delivery of lectures, quality assessment processes, and prompt release of results. Their dedication continues to enhance the University’s academic reputation and improve the overall student learning experience.
- DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND STUDENTS RESULT ADMINISTRATION
A notable achievement during the 2025/2026 Session has been the extensive deployment and utilization of the University’s Students Result Portal (SRP) and addressing technical challenges experienced during the initial deployment phases.
The portal has continued to enhance result administration, strengthen institutional data security, improve transparency, and promote efficiency in academic records management.
Management is highly pleased that the Information and Communications Technology Centre (ICTC), in collaboration with its technology partners, has successfully upgraded the SRP with enhanced security architecture, improved integrations, and more robust operational capabilities. These improvements represent a major milestone in our digital transformation agenda and reinforce our commitment to technology-driven administration.
SRP has continued to enable the Western Education Service (WES) in Europe, USA, etc and the African Countries, for internationalization of our Academic Transcripts, Certificates and Results. This integration has ensured that transcripts and certificates are verified online without delay. For the 2025/2026 academic session, over 1, 788 transcripts and certificates were verified digitally on the WES-SRP platform for international admissions of our past graduates, including job and business opportunities.
Our fees and payment processes are fully integrated into our Digital Enterprise Portal, providing seamless and convenient access to services. Our biometric systems remain fully operational, while our digital infrastructure continues to uphold the highest standards of data security. Despite persistent cyber threats and malicious attempts to compromise our systems, our robust security framework has successfully protected our digital assets. Our Technology Management Team continues to collaborate with development partners in advancing cloud-based applications to strengthen and modernize university administration. Our digital transformation initiatives have attracted global recognition, with several institutions adopting aspects of our innovative models. We take pride in these achievements and remain committed to driving excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement, regardless of the challenges and complexities of our operating environment.
- NIGERIAN EDUCATION REPOSITORY AND DATABANK (NERD)
The University is equally pleased with the progress recorded in the implementation of the Nigerian Education Repository and Databank (NERD) initiative.
The Information and Communications Technology Centre through the Management Information System (MIS) has established a dedicated support unit to provide technical assistance to staff and students regarding NERD-related services and operations.
We are confident that our final year students will experience seamless project uploads and documentation processes on the NERD platform.
I particularly commend the NERD Team, comprising the NERD Focal Officer, NERD Record Officer, and NERD Digitization Officer, for their exceptional professionalism, technological expertise, and dedication to service delivery. Their contributions have significantly supported our graduates during verification and clearance processes, leading to smoother experiences at NYSC Orientation Camps across the country.
- NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS (NYSC)
We are immensely proud of the achievements recorded by our NYSC Mobilization Team.
During the outgoing academic session, over 4,000 graduates were successfully uploaded on the NYSC Integrated Portal, and a significant number have already been deployed to various parts of the country for national service.
This achievement reflects the efficiency of our administrative processes and the diligence of the staff responsible for mobilization activities.
To our graduates currently serving the nation, we extend our congratulations and best wishes. You remain ambassadors of our University and representatives of the values we uphold. We are confident that you will continue to make your families proud, contribute positively to national development, and compete effectively in the global environment.
- ENTREPRENEURSHIP, INDUSTRY READINESS AND INNOVATION
Our Entrepreneurship Department and related Centres continue to evolve into thriving incubation hubs dedicated to innovation, enterprise development, and capacity building.
Through these initiatives, the University is producing industry-ready graduates equipped with entrepreneurial skills, digital competencies, leadership qualities, and practical knowledge required for success in an increasingly competitive global economy.
We are proud that many of our graduates are not only seeking employment but are also creating businesses and becoming employers of labour.
- NELFUND SUCCESS STORY
We are pleased to report that over 12,000 students benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) during the 2025/2026 Academic Session.
As of today, over 97% settlement has been successfully processed either through direct refunds to students who had previously paid their fees or through fee credits applied to the accounts of eligible beneficiaries.
This achievement demonstrates the positive impact of the Federal Government’s intervention in expanding access to higher education and reducing financial barriers for students.
We express our profound gratitude to the Federal Government of Nigeria for introducing this innovative and transformative educational support mechanism.
- ADMISSIONS FOR THE 2026/2027 ACADEMIC SESSION
The admission process for the 2026/2027 Academic Session has progressed smoothly and efficiently.
Qualified candidates continue to receive admissions through the JAMB Central Admission Processing System (CAPS), while the University’s Admission Management System has been effectively deployed to facilitate departmental and faculty clearance processes.
Management commends the Admissions Team for their professionalism, particularly in the areas of National Policy Compliance (NPC) and Technology Deployment (TD). Their efforts continue to strengthen transparency, accountability, and integrity throughout the admissions process.
- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND DIGITAL INNOVATION
Our Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Innovation is emerging as a strategic driver of technological advancement within the University.
In collaboration with the ICTC, the Centre is deploying innovative AI-powered solutions to improve teaching, learning, research, administration, and institutional effectiveness.
We remain committed to building a future-ready digital ecosystem that leverages emerging technologies to support evidence-based decision-making, academic excellence, and operational efficiency.
As our University expands its digital transformation agenda, Management remains committed to the responsible deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across teaching, learning, research, and administration.
Through the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Innovation, in collaboration with the Information and Communications Technology Centre (ICTC), the University is developing an AI Governance and Responsible Use Policy to guide the ethical, secure, transparent, and accountable use of AI technologies.
The policy will promote academic integrity, data protection, responsible innovation, and compliance with emerging national and global best practices. Our objective is to ensure that AI serves as an enabler of academic excellence, operational efficiency, and institutional growth while safeguarding the interests of staff, students, and stakeholders.
As we embrace the opportunities of the digital age, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education will continue to position itself as a forward-looking institution that leverages Artificial Intelligence responsibly to advance education, research, innovation, and societal development.
- POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION, RESEARCH CENTRES AND INSTITUTES
Our Postgraduate School, Research Centres, Innovation Groups, Institutes, Training and Development Centres, and specialized academic units continue to make significant contributions toward the University’s mission.
We are proud of their efforts in producing highly skilled professionals, researchers, innovators, and leaders who are shaping society and driving sustainable development across various sectors.
Their achievements provide renewed optimism for even greater accomplishments in the years ahead.
- INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE ASPIRATIONS
As we look ahead to the 2026/2027 Academic Session, we remain optimistic about the future of our University.
We are hopeful that infrastructural development will continue to receive priority attention as part of our broader institutional advancement agenda. We are open to collaboration with Agencies of Government, Alumni, private partners and corporate organizations who are willing to support us in developing our campuses. We shall continue to pursue projects that strengthen the University’s capacity in teaching, learning, research, entrepreneurship, innovation, digital transformation, and community engagement.
Our strategic objective remains clear: to position Ignatius Ajuru University of Education as a globally respected institution renowned for educational excellence, entrepreneurial development, technological innovation, impactful research, and societal relevance.
- CAMPUS SECURITY, SAFETY AND THE FIGHT AGAINST CULTISM
As Management, we remain unwavering in our commitment to the safety, security, and well-being of every member of the University community. The protection of life and property remains a critical component of our institutional priorities and strategic objectives.
I wish to state emphatically that there is no place and there will be no place for cultism, violence, criminality, or any form of anti-social behavior in Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. The University Management shall continue to pursue a zero-tolerance policy against cult-related activities and all actions capable of threatening the peace, stability, and academic integrity of our institution.
We have continued to strengthen collaborations with relevant security agencies and community stakeholders while enhancing our internal security architecture to ensure that our campuses remain safe environments for teaching, learning, research, innovation, and personal development.
Students are therefore advised to remain law-abiding, focused on their academic pursuits, and avoid associations or activities that may jeopardize their future. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to partner with the University in promoting discipline, responsible conduct, and positive values among our students.
Let me assure our staff, students, parents, and stakeholders that Management will continue to deploy all legitimate administrative, security, and regulatory measures necessary to safeguard members of the University community both within and around our campuses.
Together, we shall continue to preserve the culture of peace, mutual respect, academic excellence, and responsible citizenship that has distinguished Ignatius Ajuru University of Education as one of the leading institutions in Nigeria.
13. ACADEMIC EXPANSION, PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL GROWTH
As part of our strategic commitment to academic expansion, curriculum modernization, and the development of programmes that respond to contemporary national and global demands, the University recorded a significant institutional milestone with the successful resource verification of four new academic programmes approved for implementation. This achievement reflects our determination to position the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education as a forward-looking institution that responds proactively to emerging trends in education, science, technology, management, entrepreneurship, and workforce development.
I am delighted to announce the successful resource verification of the following programmes:
Faculty of Administration and Management
- B.Sc. Logistics and Supply Chain Management
This programme has been established to produce highly skilled professionals with competencies in logistics operations, procurement systems, supply chain optimization, transportation management, warehousing, global trade, and resource planning.
Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences
- B.Sc. Cyber Security
The introduction of this programme demonstrates the University’s commitment to addressing the growing national and global demand for cybersecurity professionals who can safeguard digital infrastructure, protect information assets, combat cyber threats, and strengthen digital trust in an increasingly connected world.
- B.Sc. Environmental Management and Toxicology
This programme is designed to train graduates with the requisite knowledge and practical skills for environmental sustainability, pollution control, environmental risk assessment, toxicology, climate resilience, and ecological management.
- B.Sc. Human Kinetics and Sport Management
This programme will prepare students for careers in sports administration, recreation management, exercise science, coaching, wellness promotion, sports entrepreneurship, and related professional fields within the expanding global sports industry.
Management is particularly grateful to the Rivers State Government, the Governing Council, Senate, the National Universities Commission (NUC), our resource verification teams, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, academic planners, and members of staff whose collective efforts contributed to this successful outcome.
I am also pleased to announce that admissions have officially commenced into these newly approved departments and programmes for the 2026/2027 Academic Session. Qualified candidates are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities and enroll in these innovative programmes which have been carefully designed to address emerging societal needs and align with global best practices.
The introduction of these programmes further reinforces our vision of building a University that remains relevant to the evolving needs of industry, government, society, and the future world of work.
As we continue to expand our academic offerings, we remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality assurance, regulatory compliance, academic excellence, and institutional competitiveness.
13. THE OKEY ONUCHUKU INSTITUTE FOR PEACE AND CONFLICT STUDIES
– The Contribution of the Okey Onuchuku Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, to the Achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The Okey Onuchuku Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, is a specialized academic and research institute dedicated to promoting peacebuilding, conflict prevention, conflict resolution, sustainable development, social justice, and human security. Through teaching, research, community engagement, policy advocacy, capacity building, and stakeholder partnerships, the Institute has continued to make significant contributions toward the realization of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations especially in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
The Institute plays a pivotal role in developing skilled professionals, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners equipped with the knowledge and competencies required to address contemporary peace and development challenges at local, national, and global levels.
13a. Academic Programmes and Capacity Building of the Okey Onuchuku Institutes for Peace and Conflict Studies
The Institute, in collaboration with the Departments of Peace and Conflict Studies, coordinates the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) programme in Peace and Conflict Studies, duly approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for undergraduate studies in Ignatius Ajuru University of Education.
In addition, the Institute collaborates with the Postgraduate School of the University in the administration and award of:
Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Peace and Conflict Studies
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Peace and Conflict Studies
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Peace and Conflict Studies
These programmes provide specialized education and training in peacebuilding, mediation, negotiation, conflict transformation, security studies, humanitarian interventions, governance, and sustainable development.
CONCLUSION
As we commence the 2026/2027 Academic Session, I call upon every member of our University community to remain committed to excellence, integrity, discipline, innovation, accountability, and service.
Let us continue to work together in unity, strengthen our culture of collaboration, embrace emerging opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of our institution and society.
On behalf of the Governing Council, University Management, Senate, Staff, and Students, I warmly welcome all returning and newly admitted students to the 2026/2027 Academic Session.
We welcome you back to campus with renewed optimism, stronger institutional capacity, enhanced technological systems, expanded opportunities, and a clear vision for a brighter future.
Together, we shall continue to advance the frontiers of education, research, entrepreneurship, innovation, and societal transformation.
Thank you, and may God Almighty bless the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Professor Okechuku Onuchuku
Ag. Vice Chancellor
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education