Renowned cleric and global intellectual tapped to drive international partnerships and strengthen ethical leadership at Anambra’s flagship institution

Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has appointed the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, as the Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

The appointment was confirmed on Wednesday in a statement issued by the Governor’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, who highlighted Kukah’s vast experience and global reach as key to advancing the university’s vision.

According to the statement, Kukah is expected to leverage his extensive international network to attract strategic partnerships, deepen academic excellence, and promote values-driven leadership among students. The move, Aburime noted, underscores the state government’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded graduates equipped for global relevance.

Describing Kukah as a distinguished intellectual and respected cleric, the statement praised his longstanding contributions to scholarship, nation-building, and social justice advocacy.

Kukah’s academic journey spans some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. He studied Philosophy and Theology at St. Augustine Major Seminary in Jos, earned a diploma in Religious Studies from the University of Ibadan, and obtained a Bachelor of Divinity from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. He further earned a Master’s degree in Peace Studies from the University of Bradford and a Ph.D. from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, in 1990.

He also undertook advanced studies at both the University of Oxford and Harvard University.

Beyond academia, Kukah is a prolific author and the founder of The Kukah Centre, a policy and research institute known for its work in promoting interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and governance reforms in Nigeria.