Stella Lemchi appointed first substantive VC of AIFUE Owerri
The Governing Council of the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education (AIFUE), Owerri, under the chairmanship of Senator (Dr.) Joy Emodi, has approved the appointment of Professor Stella Ngozi Lemchi as the first substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university.
The appointment was announced during the 3rd Regular Meeting of the Governing Council on Thursday, January 23, 2025. It takes effect immediately and is for a single, non-renewable tenure of five years.
Professor Lemchi emerged as the best among five shortlisted candidates interviewed by the Joint Council and Senate Selection Committee, in line with the extant regulations governing the process.
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Before her appointment as substantive Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lemchi served in an acting capacity from July 25, 2024. During this time, she worked closely with the Governing Council to complete the institution’s transition from a College of Education to a University of Education, demonstrating exceptional leadership, vision, and commitment.
Born on September 11, 1969 in Imo State, Professor Lemchi is a distinguished scholar and Professor of Home Economics Education at the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri.
Her educational journey began at Premier Primary School, Amaifeke, Orlu, where she earned her First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC, Credit) in 1980. She proceeded to the Federal Government College, Okigwe, obtaining her West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1986.
She then attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she graduated with a B.Sc. in Home Science and Nutrition (Second-Class Upper Division) in 1990. She later earned an M.Ed. in Home Economics Education in 1994 and a PhD in Home Economics Education in 2006, both from the same institution.
Lemchi began her academic career in 1991 as a Lecturer in the Department of Home Science, Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Nigeria. She joined the then Alvan Ikoku College of Education in 1995 as an Assistant Lecturer (Lecturer III) and rose through the ranks to become a Professor in 2023.
In her distinguished career, she has held several leadership roles, including Head of the Department of Home Economics Education (2011–2014), Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education (2015–2019), and Deputy Provost (2019–2022). In 2022, she became the 13th Substantive Provost of the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri.
Following the institution’s upgrade to a University of Education by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, she served as Acting Vice-Chancellor, successfully midwifing the transition process.
A visionary leader and trailblazer, Lemchi is known for her passion for education, especially in ensuring access and relevance for all students, with a particular focus on the girl-child. One of her significant achievements includes the development of a new Entrepreneurship Curriculum for Home Economics education in Nigeria. This curriculum equips students with 21st-century workplace skills and reflects best practices in Home Economics education.
As a strong advocate for entrepreneurship education, she has initiated programmes to impart marketable skills to undergraduates. She has published over 76 scholarly articles and book chapters on topics such as textiles and clothing, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, curriculum development, and Home Economics Education policies.
Lemchi has presented papers at international conferences in the Caribbean, USA, Ireland, Malta, South Africa, and South Korea, where she won the Best Conference Paper Award at the International Federation of Home Economics Conference in 2016.
She is a licensed professional of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) and an active member of several professional organisations, including the International Federation for Home Economics (IFHE), where she serves as Vice President for the Africa Region, the Home Economics Professional Association of Nigeria (HEPAN), and the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN).
