By Nwafor Ifakachi, Okenwa Chisom and Ndubuisi Daberechi

The Amadeo Business Summit has honoured the Vice-Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Professor Aloysius-Michaels Nnabugwu Okolie, with the Distinguished Academic Leadership and Excellence Award for his contributions to scholarship, university administration and the advancement of higher education.

The award recognizes Professor Okolie’s distinguished academic career spanning more than three decades, as well as his contributions to institutional development, research and national development.

Professor Okolie, a political scientist and scholar, began his academic journey at the University of Port Harcourt before proceeding to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and later gaining international exposure as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of South Carolina in the United States.

As Vice-Chancellor of ESUT, Okolie has brought his academic experience and leadership expertise to the administration of the institution, with a focus on strengthening the university’s role in teaching, research, innovation and human capital development.

He has also made significant contributions to political science, with research interests covering international political economy, strategic and peace studies, international law and diplomacy, and conflict studies.

His scholarly works include books and peer-reviewed publications which have contributed to academic discourse in Nigeria and beyond.

Beyond ESUT, Okolie has served as President of the Nigerian Political Science Association and has participated in various national and international academic bodies, accreditation panels and postgraduate examination boards.

The summit said the award was in recognition of Okolie’s “distinguished contribution to scholarship, transformative academic leadership and unwavering commitment to the advancement of higher education and national development.”

The organisers noted that his contribution to education extends beyond his academic publications and administrative responsibilities, particularly through his efforts to strengthen institutions and develop people through scholarship and leadership