By Mokwugwo Solomon
For those who do not know, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie is the first substantive Rector to be appointed from within the Federal Polytechnic, Oko community. This unprecedented feat speaks volumes about her competence, resilience, and capacity for impactful leadership.
Since her appointment, the Rector has continued to shatter the glass ceiling in her leadership and administration of the institution.
For several years, this office was almost exclusively dominated by men, especially those generated from outside the polytechnic. But now, a visionary woman has risen to the helm, driving progress with excellence and innovation. This development affirms a timeless truth: wherever a woman is entrusted with leadership, transformation follows. Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie remains a shining embodiment of this narrative.
As the first substantive Rector to be appointed from within the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, she has redefined quality leadership through unwavering commitment to scholarship, innovation and infrastructural development. Her trailblazing journey since assumption of office months ago reinforces one undeniable reality: when a woman leads, the society thrives.
Since assumption of office, Dr. Awuzie has achieved a milestone in many areas. During the celebration of her first 100 days in office in May/June, 2025, Dr. Awuzie commissioned several infrastructural projects she executed, including a Staff Sport Club/Guest House, an expanded and renovated Polytechnic Press, and a Medical Centre at the Ufuma campus. Other achievements highlighted during the celebration include reactivation of polytechnic water factory and bakery, completion of security posts, and restoration of regular water supply, and many more counting.
Beyond infrastructural development, the Rector restored homely relationship between the institution and its host community, Oko. Relationship between students and the management of the polytechnic also improved significantly under her watch.
Beyond the academics, Dr. Awuzie has a thriving Foundation, Dr. Chioma Awuzie Foundation (DCAF), through which she has lifted the downtrodden, and helped indegent but gifted students to get quality education.
Dr. Awuzie, PhD, FCSN, FICCON, FCAI, JP, a renowned scholar, researcher, and specialist in Physical and Materials Chemistry,
is a Fellow of the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON), and the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria (FCAI).
Her contributions to scientific research span over 28 journal articles, 34 conference papers, and 11 authored books in chemistry and related fields. She has been recognized globally for her academic excellence, including the Best Paper Presenter Award at the International Conference on Science, Technology, and Management (Oxford, UK, 2015). She is also a recipient of multiple awards for her philanthropic and academic contributions.
Dr. Awuzie, prior to her appointment as Rector, was a Chief Lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology at Federal Polytechnic, Oko. She has played key roles in academic leadership, curriculum development, and interdisciplinary research in chemistry, renewable energy, and sustainable development.
Her research contributions include presentations at international conferences across Nigeria, the UK, USA, India, Canada, Thailand, and Cameroon, covering areas like cement production, water sustainability, and cooperative instructional strategies in chemistry education. She has also conducted comparative evaluations of metal contents in edible oils, enhancing food safety awareness.
She has attended and presented at over 35 international and national conferences, seminars, and workshops, including the 46th Annual International Conference of the Chemical Society of Nigeria, the TETFUND Research for Impact Workshop, and the International Conference on Renewable Energy in Canada.
Before her appointment as Rector by President Bola Tinubu, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in academia, serving in various capacities at Federal Polytechnic, Oko, including: Desk Officer, TETFUND (2018–2025) – responsible for liaising with TETFUND, securing research funding, and managing institutional projects; Coordinator, Technical & Vocational Education and Training (TVET) (2014–2018) – overseeing skills development initiatives; Head, Department of Renewable Energy (2014-2018); Director, Petroleum, Coal & Renewable Energy Unit (2011-2015); Director, International Higher Education Academic Organizations (2015-2019); Chairman, TETFUND ICT Board (2019–2025); Managing Editor, Federal Polytechnic Oko International Journal of Science and Engineering (2015–2025);
Chairman Stalled/Ongoing Projects Committee (2020 -2022); Member Affiliation Committee, Federal Polytechnic Oko (2019-2025); Secretary Federal Polytechnic Oko Research Committee (2019-2025); Secretary TETFUND Library Development Committee, Fed Poly Oko (2018-Date); Chairman Transition Committee 2018; Member Committee on Continuous Assessment (2014 – 2019); Member Committee on Oko Centre for Research and Development Studies (2013-2019); Member Committee on Strategic Action Plan for the Institution (2013 – 2019); Member/Alternate Secretary Constitution of Tenders’ Board Committee (2022-2025); Secretary Committee on a Case of Forged Doctorate Degree (2020); Member Committee on Failed/Ongoing Projects (2021-2025); Secretary Research Grant Committee (2012 -2019).
She has played a pivotal role in securing research grants, infrastructure development, and policy formulation within the institution.
Dr. (Mrs) Awuzie is a devoted family woman, a mentor to young scientists, and a passionate advocate for sustainable development. Her influence in science education and research continues to inspire the next generation of chemists and innovators in Nigeria and beyond.
