Dominican University Appoints First Female Vice-Chancellor

The Dominican University in Ibadan has appointed Professor Jacinta Opara as its first female vice-chancellor. This historic decision was announced following a board meeting on 7th March.

Appointment Details

Professor Opara becomes the university’s second substantive vice-chancellor. The decision was made after a rigorous selection process, conducted by a professional recruiting firm and esteemed academics. This process adhered to global best practices for hiring key positions in higher education.

According to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Anthony Idigbe, this appointment marks a new era of innovation and academic excellence for the university. Professor Opara is expected to lead the university with her extensive experience and commitment to fostering learning and research.

About Professor Jacinta Opara

Born in Port Harcourt in 1976, Professor Opara is an environmental scholar, scientist, educator, health researcher, consultant, and development activist. She holds degrees from the University of Ibadan and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, along with postgraduate qualifications from several prestigious institutions.

Her administrative experience in higher education includes roles as head of department, dean, director, and deputy vice-chancellor. She also serves as President of the African Association for Teaching and Learning and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute of Policy Management Development.

Professor Opara has coordinated numerous projects and publications and has received many awards, including the Erasmus Mundus fellowship and the IATEL Award for Academic Excellence.

About Dominican University

Dominican University, previously known as the Dominican Institute, is the first university of the Order of Preachers (Dominican Order) on the African continent. It became affiliated with the University of Ibadan in 1993 and received its official license from the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2016. The university is accredited and recognised by the National Universities Commission.

For more information, visit the Dominican University website.

This appointment signifies a new chapter for Dominican University, promising growth and academic achievements under Professor Opara’s guidance.