- Foundation lauds appointment
Prof Stephen Sinikiem Azaiki has been named the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Third Governing Council of Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, by the Founder and Visitor of the University, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien.
Reacting to the appointment, the Azaiki Foundation said the appointment was a fitting recognition of Azaiki’s distinguished career as an academic, education administrator, public servant, development strategist, author, and institution builder whose contributions have positively impacted higher education, governance, research, and community development across the country and beyond.
Prof. Azaiki’s academic accomplishments span more than four decades. He holds advanced degrees in Agronomy, Biological Sciences, Public Administration, and Project Management. He has undertaken executive leadership programmes at globally renowned institutions including Harvard University, Oxford University, the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, Yale University, and the University of London.
He has taught and conducted research in Nigeria and internationally, serving as Professor and Visiting Professor in several universities and research institutions. The statement by the Foundation said the appointment is particularly appropriate given Azaiki’s extensive experience in university governance.
He had previously served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Niger Delta University, where he chaired critical committees responsible for finance, development, administration, and institutional advancement. He also served as a member of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, bringing strategic oversight and policy leadership to the governance of higher education institutions.
Beyond academia, he has distinguished himself in public service. He has served as Pioneer Commissioner for Agriculture in Bayelsa State, Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Director in the National Directorate of Employment, and Member of the House of Representatives representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma-Opokuma Federal Constituency. His leadership experience cuts across government, policy development, economic planning, and institutional management.
At the international level, Azaiki has represented Nigeria with distinction as Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and IMF, President of the Nigerian Chapter of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), Executive Member of the World Council of Comparative Education Societies (WCCES), and participant in numerous global policy and educational forums.
Prof Azaiki is also an author and scholar, who has published extensively on governance, education, agriculture, development, federalism, environmental sustainability, and the Niger Delta question. He is a recipient of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in recognition of his service to the nation.
