The Senate of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, has elected Professor Princewill Chukwudi Ogbonna as Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Research and Development, following a vote conducted at the institution's 261st Regular Senate Meeting.

Ogbonna, who currently serves as Dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, was elected to fill the vacancy created when the position's previous occupant, Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, was appointed the university's seventh Vice Chancellor in March 2026.

The election is subject to ratification by the University Governing Council, chaired by Pro Chancellor Comrade Fidelis Chukwunweike Edeh, for a two year tenure.

An alumnus of the institution, Professor Ogbonna brings extensive administrative experience to the role, having previously served as Acting Director of the Directorate of University Advancement, Acting Head of the Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, and Dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environmental Management.

His emergence has resulted in an even distribution among the university's principal officers, with three females and three males now occupying the six leadership positions.

The female principal officers are Vice Chancellor Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Professor Nneoma Elechi Obasi, and Registrar Dr Nkeiruka Charity Mbanasor. The male principal officers are Bursar Chief Ugochukwu Ironkwe, Librarian Professor Isaac Ogbonna, and the newly elected Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Development, Professor Princewill Ogbonna.

The appointment is expected to reinforce the university's commitment to advancing research, innovation, and development in line with its mandate as a specialised institution in agriculture and related disciplines.