AE-FUNAI elevates Ossai Edmund Ndudi to Professor, as VC Sunday Elom receives commendation
Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, has promoted Dr Ossai Edmund Ndudi to the rank of Professor in the Department of Community Medicine, bringing to an end years of prolonged anticipation and delay.
The development has drawn widespread commendation for the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Sunday Elom, with education stakeholders and commentators describing the promotion as a clear demonstration of visionary leadership, foresight and moral courage.
The elevation of Dr Ossai has been warmly received within academic and professional circles, where it is viewed as a long-overdue recognition of his outstanding scholarship, teaching excellence and significant contributions to medical education and community health.
Fondly known among colleagues and students as “The Chief Justice,” Dr Ossai is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Ibadan and a highly respected, articulate scholar.
His academic track record, research output and professional service have consistently placed him among the leading figures in his field.
Observers have noted that despite meeting and surpassing established academic requirements, his promotion to professorial rank had been unjustifiably delayed. Against this backdrop, the Vice-Chancellor’s intervention has been described as an act of institutional courage and principled leadership.
Commending Prof. Elom, stakeholders praised his willingness to address what they described as a long-standing academic injustice by ensuring that merit was recognised and rewarded.
Reacting to the announcement, Dr Ossai expressed gratitude to God and appreciation to the university management for what he described as finally doing “the needful.” He said the moment was one of profound joy and humility.
Many have hailed the development as a reaffirmation that excellence, though sometimes delayed by bureaucracy and inertia, will ultimately prevail.
Commentators noted that Prof. Elom demonstrated uncommon wisdom and clarity by ensuring that merit was neither ignored nor denied.
By recognising Dr Ossai’s strong academic record, sustained research output and long-standing contributions to medical education and community health, the Vice-Chancellor was said to have reinforced a core academic principle—that scholarship and integrity must be rewarded.
The decision is also seen as a reflection of Prof. Elom’s deep understanding of university governance and commitment to justice within the academic system, restoring confidence in due process and reaffirming AE-FUNAI’s standing as an institution where merit outweighs sentiment.
Prof. Elom’s role in actualising Dr Ossai’s promotion has been described as a defining aspect of his leadership legacy, marked by vision, fairness and courage.
With his elevation, Dr Ossai is expected to further enhance AE-FUNAI’s academic profile through mentorship, research leadership and continued service to the medical and academic community.
