OGONI BENEFITS AS TINUBU UNVEILS KEY APPOINTMENTS FOR FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY, SAAKPENWA

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By Nwafor Oji Awala. 

The Ogoni nation has recorded a major federal gain under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the appointment of prominent Ogoni academic, Professor Don Mon Baridam, as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology, Koroma/Saakpenwa, in Rivers State.



This strategic appointment not only signals a growing federal presence in Ogoniland but also positions the region at the forefront of Nigeria’s push for environmental innovation and sustainable development. It comes as part of the formal constitution of the university’s governing council and principal officers, following the enactment of the institution's establishment law on February 3, 2025.

Professor Baridam, a highly regarded professor of Management and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, brings decades of academic and administrative leadership to the role. His expertise in organisational behaviour and commitment to institutional growth are expected to anchor the new university in academic excellence while ensuring it reflects the aspirations of the Ogoni people.

In another landmark gain for the region, Dr. Mpigi Monday Douglas, also from the South-South, has been appointed as Registrar of the institution. His inclusion further solidifies Ogoni’s stake in the university’s leadership and operations.

Additionally, Dr. Saghanen Ntogo G. B., also from the South-South, has been named the University Librarian, giving the region three high-level representatives in the administration of the institution.

Other key appointments include:

  • Professor Chinedu Mmom, an academic from the Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt, and former Rivers State Commissioner for Education, as the Vice-Chancellor;
  • Zoryii Josco Nwaimanie from North Central as Bursar.

The governing council draws from across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones in line with federal character, with members such as:

  • Mr. Emmanuel Onoja (North Central),
  • Mr. Hamid Adekunle (South West),
  • Professor Chima Oji (South East),
  • Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Lamda (North West).

The university is set to begin academic activities in September 2025, with a curriculum centered on environmental studies, climate resilience, and technology-driven solutions tailored to Nigeria’s ecological challenges—issues that resonate deeply in Ogoni, a region historically affected by environmental degradation.

This development is seen by many observers as part of the federal government’s response to the long-standing cries for environmental justice, socio-economic inclusion, and educational infrastructure in Ogoniland. The institution is not only a symbol of redress but also a concrete opportunity to equip future generations with tools for ecological innovation and sustainable progress.

With Professor Baridam at the helm and key Ogoni figures in administrative roles, the university is poised to become a center of excellence that reflects both national goals and the hopes of the Ogoni people.

(c) Prime Heritage Magazine 

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