The West African Youth Congress, a prominent organization representing the youth in West Africa, has chosen Prof. Augustine Uchechukwu Nweze, who serves as both the Rector of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) and the Chairman of the Association of State-owned Polytechnics Rectors in Nigeria, as a nominee for the esteemed Academic Leadership Awards within the framework of the 2023 West African Youth and Students Symposium/Awards (WAYS-2023).
Originating from Enugu State, Nigeria, Prof. Nweze will join the ranks of other distinguished Academic Administrators hailing from various West African nations. This includes nominees from countries such as Senegal, Mali, Ghana, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Niger, Sierra Leone, Togo, and more.
Professor Augustine Uchechukwu Nweze, an accomplished Chartered Accountant, has achieved remarkable recognition, with his profile already available in both French and Arabic languages courtesy of the West African Youth Congress (WAYC).
The West African Youth Congress meticulously evaluates the track records of leaders in the region through its network of connections with various sub-regional organizations across different countries. They annually select and honor individuals who have excelled in various aspects of leadership in West Africa, aiming to celebrate their accomplishments and learn from their wealth of knowledge and experiences.
Prof. Uchechukwu Nweze’s nomination is well-deserved, given his demonstrated commitment and competence as an academic administrator, including his previous role as the Zonal Coordinator of the Rectors in the South East Geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Additionally, he currently holds the position of National Treasurer for COHEADS (Council of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria).
Professor Augustine Uchechukwu Nweze, PhD, FCA, FCTI, FCPA, ACArb, JP, is the distinguished Rector of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) in Enugu, Nigeria. He was born in Obollo Afor, Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria, on the 11th minute of the 11th day in November 1960.
His journey in education began with training as a Grade II Teacher at Lourdes Training College, Iwollo, Enugu State, from 1975 to 1980. Despite coming from a background where the emphasis was on Arithmetic for Primary Schools, he achieved a remarkable feat by scoring a perfect 100% in Mathematics in the 1983 University Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board. Subsequently, he obtained degrees including a BSc in Accountancy (1987), MBA (1992), MSc (1999), and PhD (2002) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
Professionally, he became a Chartered Accountant, earning him the title of Associate member (ACA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in 1992 and Associate member (ACTI) of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) in 1996. In 2003, he was honored with the title of Fellow (FCA and FCTI) by both ICAN and CITN and became a Justice of Peace (JP).
Professor Nweze embarked on his post-university career in August 1988 at the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, and later joined Anambra Broadcasting Service, Orient Bank of Nigeria Plc, and Royal Merchant Bank Limited in various roles. In 1995, he transitioned into academia, beginning as a Lecturer at Enugu State University of Science and Technology. In 2009, he reached the prestigious rank of Professor, becoming the First Professor of Accounting at Enugu State University of Science and Technology. In June 2016, he assumed the role of Rector at the Institute of Management and Technology.
Prof. Augustine Uchechukwu Nweze, PhD, FCA, FCTI, JP, shares a fulfilling marriage with Dr. Bernadine Ngozichukwu Nweze, who works in the Department of Science Education at Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu.