Wigwe University has appointed Justice Amina Augie (retd.), a former Justice of the Supreme Court, as its new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.

The institution also named Professor Marwan Al-Akaidi as its substantive Vice-Chancellor.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Professor Fabian Ajogwu, announced the appointments in a statement on Thursday, February 19, 2025.

He described the move as a reflection of the university’s dedication to “academic excellence, leadership, and innovation.”

Justice Augie succeeds Professor Julius Okojie as Pro-Chancellor. She is known for decades of experience in the role, having served as a Justice of the Supreme Court until her retirement.

According to the statement, the jurist obtained her law degree from the University of Ife in 1977 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1978. She later earned a Master of Laws in Criminology from the University of Lagos.

She began her career as an academic, lecturing at Ahmadu Bello University and the Nigerian Law School before moving into the judiciary. She served as a chief magistrate in Sokoto before being appointed a High Court judge in 1992.

She was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2002, where she served for 14 years before joining the Supreme Court in 2016.

The board praised Justice Augie’s “exceptional leadership, integrity, and wealth of experience,” noting that she would play a crucial role in shaping the university’s future.

Al-Akaidi’s appointment as Vice-Chancellor follows his tenure as acting VC, Dean of the College of Science and Computing, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for research and innovation. He holds a doctorate in Optical and Communications Engineering from Loughborough University, UK.

The statement described Al-Akaidi as a seasoned academic who has spearheaded educational innovations in blended and online learning across the UK and the Middle East.

It added that the new Wigwe University VC has supervised over 45 PhD students and published more than 300 papers in international journals.

According to the institution’s board, Al-Akaidi’s appointment marks “a new chapter in the university’s journey to fostering a culture of academic rigour, scientific discovery, and entrepreneurial spirit.”