Docenti Global Business School (DGBS) has appointed renowned academic, engineer and former Minister of Power and the Vice Chancellor of University on the Niger, Professor Chinedu Ositadinma Nebo, as Chairman of its Advisory Board.

The appointment brings one of Nigeria’s respected university administrators and public servants into a strategic leadership role at the Lagos-based business school, where he is expected to provide guidance on academic standards, institutional development, regulatory compliance, accreditation and the school’s broader strategic direction.

According to the terms of the appointment, Prof. Nebo will serve voluntarily as Chairman of the Advisory Board and will work with the management and other stakeholders of the institution in providing strategic and technical advice on matters relating to academic quality and regulatory requirements. He will also support the school in its accreditation efforts and participate in Advisory Board meetings.

The appointment is significant given Prof. Nebo’s long record in university administration, engineering education, public service and institutional leadership.

A career spanning the university, government and national development

Prof. Chinedu Nebo is currently the Vice Chancellor of University on the Niger, a professor of engineering and an accomplished university administrator whose career has taken him from the academic environment to the highest levels of public service.

He served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), from 2004 to 2009, a period during which he was involved in the administration and development of one of Nigeria’s foremost universities. The University of Nigeria’s official records list him among its former Vice-Chancellors.

He subsequently became the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE). The university was established as one of the new federal universities created during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, and Prof. Nebo was entrusted with the responsibility of laying the foundation for the institution.

His university leadership eventually led him into national service. In February 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him Minister of Power, placing him at the centre of one of Nigeria’s most difficult and strategically important sectors. Contemporary reports of the appointment described Nebo as the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria.

As Minister, he was involved in efforts surrounding the reform and privatisation of Nigeria’s power sector. His professional background in engineering provided a technical foundation for his engagement with the sector.

Nebo himself has previously described his background as that of a first-class mining engineering graduate who later became a professor of metallurgical and materials engineering, stressing that his public-service career was built on a long academic and professional foundation.

His career has earned him national recognition, including the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM), and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

He has also continued to contribute to higher education and institutional development beyond his earlier university and ministerial appointments.

Nebo accepts appointment

Speaking on his appointment as Chairman of the Docenti Global Business School Advisory Board, Prof. Nebo expressed his appreciation for the confidence reposed in him and said he was pleased to contribute to the institution’s development.

In his acceptance remark, Prof. Nebo said: “I am honoured by the confidence reposed in me by the management of Docenti Global Business School. Education remains one of the most important instruments for transforming individuals, institutions and societies, and I am glad to contribute my experience to an institution that is committed to developing professionals and future business leaders. I accept this responsibility with a deep sense of duty and look forward to working with the management and other members of the Advisory Board. I am glad to serve.”

The former minister added that institutions of higher learning must continually respond to changing economic realities and equip their students with knowledge and skills that are relevant to the world of work.

A strategic appointment — Docenti Executive Principal, Dr Akanazu

Executive Principal of Docenti Global Business School, Dr Humphrey Akanazu, described the appointment as an important step in strengthening the institution's academic and strategic leadership.

According to Akanazu, Prof. Nebo’s combination of academic experience, university administration, engineering expertise and public-sector leadership made him particularly suited to the role.

“We are delighted to have Professor Chinedu Nebo accept the responsibility of serving as Chairman of the Advisory Board of Docenti Global Business School. His career speaks for itself. He has served as a university Vice-Chancellor, led the establishment of a federal university, served as a Federal Minister and built a reputation as an engineer, academic and administrator. These are experiences that will be invaluable to an institution such as Docenti,” Akanazu said.

He added: “Our intention is to build an institution that combines strong academic standards with practical knowledge and global relevance. Having a person of Professor Nebo’s stature provide strategic guidance to the school is a significant development for us. We believe his experience will help strengthen our institutional direction, academic quality and engagement with the wider education and business community.”