Coal City University, Enugu, on Wednesday inaugurated its Second Governing Council, with the institution’s leadership charging the new council to consolidate the university’s achievements and position it for greater national and international recognition.
The inauguration, held at the university on October 7, 2026, brought together members of the Governing Council, Board of Trustees, university management, academics, students, parents and other stakeholders.
The new Governing Council is chaired by former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd), GSS, CFR.
Speaking at the event, the Chancellor and Proprietor of the university, Sir Chinedu Ani, said the inauguration marked a defining moment in the institution’s journey as it enters the next phase of its development.
Ani, who reflected on the university’s 10-year journey, said Coal City University was established with the vision of producing graduates who combine academic excellence with character, integrity, discipline and a commitment to service.
He charged members of the new council to regard their appointment as a trust, urging them to always place the long-term interests of the university above personal considerations.
According to him, the council must provide strategic direction, effective oversight and accountability while giving the Vice-Chancellor and management the necessary space to administer the university.
Ani also called for stronger investment in academic excellence, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and technology, noting that artificial intelligence and digital transformation were rapidly changing the global economy and employment landscape.
He said the university must prepare its students not only for existing jobs but also to create and lead the jobs of the future.
The Chancellor further emphasised the importance of integrity, warning against corruption, academic malpractice, dishonesty, abuse of office, harassment and other practices capable of damaging the reputation of the institution.
He said his ambition was to build a university that would outlive its founders and successive administrations through strong systems, values and institutional traditions.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Afam Icha Ituma, said the inauguration represented an important milestone in the development of the university.
Ituma disclosed that Coal City University currently has 31 academic programmes, all accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
He also announced that the university’s Senate had approved the commencement of postgraduate programmes in the 2026/2027 academic session.
According to him, the university currently has 1,263 students, comprising 402 male and 861 female students, excluding incoming first-year students, and has graduated seven sets of students.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university had also established academic links with more than 50 professors based in universities across North America, Western Europe, Australia, South Africa and other parts of the world.
He noted that the collaborations had strengthened teaching, research and the university’s international outlook.
Ituma further disclosed that researchers at the institution had secured competitive grants and external funding from organisations including the British Council and the American Psychology-Law Society.
He added that the university would, from the 2026/2027 academic session, seek to accommodate all its students on campus in order to improve security, welfare, student engagement and campus life.
In his inaugural address, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Lt. Gen. Ihejirika, said the council would focus on five major areas: academic excellence; good governance and accountability; student development; institutional growth and sustainability; and preservation of the university’s values and integrity.
He pledged that the council would promote transparency, prudent management of resources and compliance with regulatory standards.
Ihejirika also assured the Chancellor and university management of the council’s commitment to working constructively with them, while maintaining a clear distinction between governance and administration.
He urged the university’s staff to maintain professionalism and excellence, while calling on students to take advantage of the opportunities available to them and develop discipline, integrity, leadership and creativity.
The event also featured tributes to the late Rev. Fr. Professor Stan Anih, co-founder of the university.
The Vice-Chancellor described Anih’s contribution to the establishment and development of Coal City University as invaluable, while Ani paid tribute to his late uncle, mentor and teacher, whom he credited with significantly shaping his life and career.
The Vice-Chancellor also commended the First Governing Council, led by Prof. Chinedu Nebo, CON, for its contribution to the growth of the institution.
He similarly expressed appreciation to Sir Chinedu Ani for his commitment and investment in the university, particularly his provision of scholarships to hundreds of students annually.
The inauguration ended with a renewed commitment by the Governing Council, management and the university community to strengthen Coal City University’s academic standing, research capacity, governance and international visibility in the years ahead.
