The Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has named Matthew Kukah as the Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Wednesday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime.
According to the statement, Kukah’s appointment is expected to strengthen the institution through his international connections, encourage strong ethical values, and enhance the development of well-rounded graduates.
Aburime described Kukah as a respected Nigerian scholar and cleric whose work bridges academic excellence with advocacy for social justice.
The statement read, “The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has appointed Most Rev. Dr Matthew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, as the Chancellor of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State.
Kukah is an eminent Nigerian intellectual and cleric whose contributions integrate academic scholarship with the pursuit of social justice in Nigeria.
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He attended St. Augustine Major Seminary Jos, Plateau State, where he studied Philosophy and Theology; the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a diploma in religious studies; the Pontifical Urban University, Rome, where he got a bachelor of divinity; followed by a master’s degree in peace studies at the University of Bradford, and a Ph.D. from University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in 1990.
“He also at certain times studied at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, and at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States.
Kukah is also a prolific author and the founder of The Kukah Centre, where he has pioneered research-driven advocacy aimed at interfaith harmony and policy reform.
“The appointment of Bishop Kukah as the chancellor of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University is expected to provide leverage of his global network to foster international partnerships, inspire ethical leadership in the University, and signal a commitment to producing well-rounded graduates.”
Kukah’s academic journey spans several institutions, including University of Ibadan, Pontifical Urban University, University of Bradford, and SOAS University of London, where he earned his doctorate in 1990. He also had academic exposure at University of Oxford and Harvard University.
Beyond academia, he is known for his writings and as the founder of The Kukah Centre, an institution focused on promoting interfaith dialogue and policy-oriented research.