By Ugwu Ijeoma, Ndubuisi Daberechi, Ugoji Chinwendu and Ozoagu Chimkama

For top corporate executives across Nigeria, pursuing postgraduate education usually means navigating unpredictable academic strikes and rigid physical lecture schedules. But under the six-year stewardship of Professor Fred Eze, the ESUT Business School has broken the traditional mold.

By deploying multi-million Naira hybrid magic boards and enforcing a calendar “cast in stone,” Eze has successfully turned the school into a global learning hub.

In this exclusive interview with ESUT Monitor, the Professor of Public Administration and Vice President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo pulls back the curtain on a transformational tenure that has quadrupled institutional revenue, eliminated academic disruptions, and fully funded a ₦1 billion multi-purpose Civic Center with zero government subvention.

Background and Tenure

My name is Professor Fredrick Eze. I was appointed to this position in July 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was an incredibly challenging time, but through the magnanimity of the Vice Chancellor, I am still serving in this role today. Despite the initial hurdles, we have managed to double our impact.

Professionally, I am a Professor of Public Administration. I attained the rank of Professor in 2006, marking 20 years of professorship this year.

Evolution of ESUT Business School

ESUT Business School was established in 1995 during the tenure of Vice Chancellor Professor Julius Onuora. It began as a landmark collaboration between the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) and the private sector, driven by captains of industry.

Originally founded in Marina, Lagos, political and logistical shifts eventually required us to relocate back to Enugu between 2005 and 2006. Though the transition period was difficult, the school stabilized and has become a definitive success story. In spite of the odds, we have not only survived, but thrived.

Designed for Industry Leaders

The post-lockdown period brought unique challenges, particularly regarding regional insecurity, which made it difficult for students to attend physical lectures. In response, we strategically transitioned to a hybrid and primarily online model.

Because our offerings are executive programs, our student body consists of busy, top-tier executives who are scattered across the country. These individuals are already established employers and leaders; they do not come to ESUT Business School merely to acquire a certificate for job-seeking. Instead, they join us to upgrade their status, acquire advanced knowledge, and network.

This distinct student profile differentiates us from the regular postgraduate programs run at the main campus’s College of Postgraduate Studies. ESUT Business School occupies a unique niche in the Nigerian educational market by catering explicitly to the convenience of senior professionals who may have missed the opportunity to pursue regular programs earlier in life.

Academic Programes and Faculty Structure

It is important to note that these academic programs are not independently owned by the ESUT Business School itself. Instead, they are owned by the mainstream departments and faculties of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology; we simply house and administer them here. Consequently, the Heads of Departments at the main campus also serve as the Heads of Departments for our programs.

Our curriculum is heavily tailored toward management and administration. We offer programs in: Business Administration, Public Administration, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, Insurance, Engineering Management and Environmental Management

Global Faculty and Flexible Lecture Delivery

We recruit the absolute top echelon of academic talent. Our lecturers are drawn from the cream of ESUT staff, alongside top-tier minds from institutions like the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, and Ebonyi State University. Where there is quality, we pick it—including international scholars from the University of Ghana (Legon), the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Because our delivery model is online, geography is no barrier. Lectures are fully recorded and provided directly to the students. This means busy executives can learn from anywhere—their car, kitchen, or living room. If a student is too preoccupied to attend live, they receive the full recording on their phone or laptop. The only thing they miss out on is the live Q&A session; the core knowledge remains entirely accessible.

Enrollment Figures and Programme Durations

Our annual enrollment figures reflect a healthy, sustainable demand. This academic year, our registrations include:

• Doctorate Programs (DBA and PhD): 86 students
• Master’s Programs (MBA and MSc): 330 students
• Postgraduate Diploma (PGD): 50 students

The duration for each tier of study is structured as follows:

• Postgraduate Diploma (PGD): 1 year and 6 months
• Master’s Programmes: 2 years
• Doctorate Programs (PhD/DBA): 3 to 5 years, depending on the individual capacity and progress of the student.

Admission Requirements and Application Process

Gaining admission into ESUT Business School is a straightforward process. Prospective students can obtain an application form physically at our campus or apply online. The application fee is 20,800 Naira.

Once an applicant meets the criteria, we forward a recommendation to the university. The university authorities review the qualifications, and upon Senate approval, a formal admission letter is issued.

The “Cast in Stone” Academic Calendar

A defining feature of ESUT Business School is absolute certainty. Unlike regular university programs—where a two-year program can drag on for three to five years due to disruptions, bureaucracy, or strikes—our schedule is cast in stone. We do not experience or acknowledge ASUU strikes or internal institutional pauses.

At the start of the year, we set a rigid academic calendar. By January, students know the precise dates of their first and second-semester exams, as well as their project defenses all the way through December. Because our students are top corporate leaders who must secure formal permission from their organizations well in advance, we never alter these dates once published. The day you register is the day you know you will graduate.

Academic Quality Control and Semi-Autonomy

Operationally, we maintain a semi-autonomous status to shield our students from calendar disruptions. However, we adhere strictly to the academic processes and regulations of the main ESUT body to guarantee that our degrees hold identical weight and prestige. To ensure absolute quality control, we do not appoint our own external examiners. We explicitly utilize the external examiners appointed by the University Senate, maintaining flawless parity with the main campus.

Examinations and Physical Requirements

While our learning delivery model is highly flexible and digital, our examinations are strictly physical. Students must come to our designated location in person to sit for their assessments. This hybrid approach ensures the utmost academic integrity while offering maximum day-to-day convenience.

The Director’s Upcoming Inaugural Lecture

On the 15th of next month, marking exactly 20 years since my elevation to the rank of professor, I will stand before the university to deliver my inaugural lecture. Far from being late, it arrives at the perfect time. Life is about timing, and I spent previous years chasing other vital dreams.

An inaugural lecture represents the ultimate distillation of a scholar’s lifelong research and teaching endeavors. My lecture is titled: “Beyond the Autonomy Question: Resource Allocation and Utilization in Nigeria Local Government System – Changing the Narrative.” It will directly confront the perennial challenges of local government administration in Nigeria, moving past basic discussions of autonomy to address how resources are practically distributed and managed to change the developmental narrative.