The 2026 Deanship elections of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) have produced a mix of returning and new deans, with incumbent Prof. Uchenna Ugwuanyi retaining his position in the Faculty of Management Sciences and Prof. Patrick Ejikeme emerging victorious in Engineering.
The elections, conducted across the university’s faculties on Monday, also saw Prof. Chika Ukwuaba emerge as Dean of the Faculty of Education, while the Agriculture election produced an upset with incumbent Dean, Prof. Emeka Nzeh, losing his bid for a second term.
In Management Sciences, Ugwuanyi, a Professor of Accounting, secured a second term after polling 71 votes against Prof. Jude Udenta’s seven votes.
In his acceptance speech, Ugwuanyi pledged to consolidate the achievements of his first tenure and run an inclusive administration. Udenta congratulated the returning dean and promised to contribute ideas towards the development of the faculty.
At the Faculty of Education, Ukwuaba polled 58 votes to defeat Prof. John O. Odoh, who secured 17 votes in the election presided over by Prof. Ike Oluka as Chief Electoral Officer.
The Faculty of Agriculture recorded one of the major surprises of the elections as Prof. Ikechukwu Okoye defeated incumbent Nzeh in the contest for the deanship. Okoye secured nine votes, while Nzeh polled six.
In Engineering, Ejikeme emerged winner in a three-way contest involving Prof. Ebere Ameh and Prof. Onuama. He polled 34 votes to edge Ameh, who received 31 votes, while Onuama secured three votes.
The Faculty of Law, however, failed to produce a winner after Prof. Osita Nnamani and Prof. Chukwuemeka Obeagu ended the contest in a 12-12 tie.
The Chief Returning Officer, Prof. Chike Nwoha, who is also the university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, told the ESUT Monitor that the election had been declared inconclusive and that the university management would meet to determine how to resolve the deadlock.
At the Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Okey Oji emerged unopposed as the successor to the former Dean, Prof. Nicholas Attamah.
Similarly, Prof. Humphrey Nwobodo was returned as Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences after emerging as the sole candidate, while Prof. Cosmas Achikanu also emerged unopposed in the Faculty of Biological Sciences.
The Faculty of Physical Sciences witnessed a competitive contest as incumbent Prof. Gabriel Ugwu successfully defended his position against three challengers.
Ugwu polled 25 votes to defeat Prof. Mishark Nnabuchi, who received 11 votes; Prof. Chinelo Igwenagu, who secured six; and Prof. Azubuike Ugwoke, who got one vote.
At the College of Medicine, the election was held only in the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, where Prof. Ikenna Ndu emerged as Dean after standing as the sole candidate.
The Faculties of Clinical Medicine and Basic Medical Sciences did not participate in the election, as their deans are to be appointed by the university management. The same arrangement applies to the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The 2026 ESUT Deanship elections were reported to have proceeded smoothly, with the newly elected and returning deans expected to serve for the next two academic sessions.
[Credit: ESUT Monitor]
