BRIEF PROFILE
Francis Chukwuemeka Ezeonu, popularly known and referred to as Emeka Ezeonu is an erudite scholar and transformational leader with 23 years’ experience as a Professor, and 35+ years of academic and administrative experience. He is active in teaching and research with special interest in environmental biochemistry and toxicology, occupational hygiene, pollutant monitoring, exposure assessment and metabolism, biotransformation & bioenergy, plant proximate and pharmacology, and bioethics. Emeka is the first person to earn the doctoral (Ph.D.) degree certification of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Sept. 1992) and today holds dual Professorial seats in Applied Biochemistry (appointed 2001) and Drugs and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (appointed 2010), at the University. Has Proven record of academic performance that has fostered international reputation, including appointment as the only African Scientist in a 31-member Joint FAO/WHO Independent International Expert Committee on Bisphenol A, and adoption of one of the published research paper as a Scientific Supporting Document for Nitrate Quality Guidelines in Water in Canada. Visible in his academic profession, he holds Fellowship and membership of several professional organizations. A Harvard trained Leadership Decision Making engineer skilled in strategic planning, financial management, and community engagement. Has extensive knowledge of leadership, administration and management in the university system and beyond, gained through high-calibre cross-functional university management experience; served two times as a member of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Council, and two-term as Dean of Student Affairs. A talented turn-around manager and team builder with demonstrable track record of attracting developments, building strategic relationships and driving institutional growth. He pioneered the establishment of three critical Directorates at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, to wit; Directorate of International Cooperation & Linkages, Directorate of ICT and Directorate of Research Innovation and Development. Among other numerous leadership experience, he was the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Hezekiah University, Umudi, (2015 - 2016), the first private university in Imo State. He nurtured the establishment of the university and supervised its take-off. Emeka has distinguished public service record in national assignments including, member, National Implementation Committee on the Integration of Out-of-School Children from the South/South and South/East states of the Federation into the Basic Education System (2012 -2014), member of the Technical Working Group (TWG) that produced the NATIONAL BIOETHICS FRAMEWORK and the NATIONAL BIOETHICS POLICY STRATEGIES for the development of ethical standards for Agriculture, Defence and Security, Education, Environment, Health and Society in Nigeria (2019). The two documents were approved by Federal Executive Council on 11th May 2022. He is a pioneer member of the NATIONAL BIOETHICS COMMITTEE of Nigeria (2023 -till date). Emeka was in 2017 appointed by the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria as a Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC, and served as the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo State between 2017 and 2022. He has numerous commendations and honour for top performance in the University and beyond, and commands the respect of peers.
