The Life And Legacy Of Professor Julius Amioba Okojie, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission
Today, we will look at the life of Julius Okojie, a wealthy Nigerian academic administrator who had many “firsts” in university history. A professor of exemplary character who has contributed, influenced, and made a positive impact on people’s lives throughout the course of history.
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Who Is Julius Okojie?
Prof. Julius Amioba Okojie was born on July 27th, 1948. He is a professor of forest management resources who has served and held a variety of administrative positions. Julius Okojie was the former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, widely known as (FUNAAB), as well as the Vice Chancellor of the Bells University of Technology, Ota.
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From 2006 to 2016, Julius Okojie held the position of executive secretary for the National Universities Commission (NUC) for two terms. At age 70, after all his wonderful accomplishments, he retired.
Julius Okojie’s Education
Prof. Julius Okojie attended government primary schools in Uromi, Edo State, Annunciation Catholic College in Irrua, Edo State, and Federal Government College in Warri, Delta State for his primary and secondary education.
He was accepted into the University of Ibadan in 1969 and earned a bachelor’s degree in Forestry with a Second-Class Upper Division in 1972. He also pursued a master’s degree in forestry at the prestigious Yale University in the United States.
To satisfy his desire for greater academic challenge, he received a PhD degree in forestry resource management from the University of Ibadan in Oyo State in 1981. However, his educational career has given him access to a wealth of knowledge, expertise, managerial positions, and history.
Julius Okojie’s Family And Julius Okojie’s Career
Erelu Oluremi Okojie is the wife of Julius Okojie. Julius Okojie came from a family of 20 with a poor background and a lot of farm work to do.
Between 1972 and 1974, Prof. Julius Okojie worked as a research officer at the Forestry Research Institute in Ibadan. Later, in 1978, he became a lecturer at the University of Ibadan, where he was later elevated to senior lecturer status in 1983. He was appointed a professor of forestry resource management at the University of Ibadan in 1990.
Julius Okojie was appointed dean of the College of Environmental Resources Management (COLERM) at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta between 1990 and 1994. He also held the position of National Coordinator for Nigeria’s committee for lost crops.
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From 1996–2001, he served as Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta. In 2005–2006, he served as Vice Chancellor of the Bell University of Technology in Ota.
Additionally, Julius was a member of the Commonwealth Forestry Association. He was appointed Chairman of the Vice-Chancellors Committee of the Nigeria Federal University in 2001. He held an international position as vice president of the Association of African Universities (AAU).
He joined NUC as a visiting professor in 2002 and served as chairman of the Standing Committee on Private Universities (SCOPU). He was named the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission in 2006, and in August 2011 he was re-appointed for a second term.
According to research, the Federal Government granted approval to 63 out of 68 institutions during his tenure as Chairman of SCOPU and Executive Secretary. That was said in the article Okojie departs from public service, which can be seen at https://www.nuc.edu.ng/.
He was given the national merit honor of Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON, for living a life worthy of impact and selflessness toward humanity. With the first inaugural valedictory lecture of the Federal University of Abeokuta, titled “A Servant is Not Greater Than His Master: Who Wants To Be A Vice-Chancellor?” he announced his retirement from active duty.
Scholars, colleagues, senior government officials, and well-wishers from all walks of life were expected to attend the talk. Finally, he retired as a respected forester who held many administrative positions at the age of 70.
Julius Okojie’s Thoughts And Advice On Education
Education, in the opinion of Prof. Julius Okojie, a former executive secretary of the NUC, can unleash a child’s greatness. He emphasized that when a nation uses education as a tool for social change, it will help ensure that its inhabitants receive a good and high-quality standard of living. This was said in the post “Okojie-seeks-quality-assurance-for-varsities” on https://punchng.com.
According to Julius Okojie, education is essential for exploration, innovation, and industry, all of which are essential for a country’s advancement and development as well as its ability to compete internationally. Additionally, he stated that educational agencies such as JAMB, civil society organizations, and external agencies should help support projects and networks for quality assurance. This was covered in the post “Okojie wants quality assurance for varsities” on https://punchng.com.
Julius Okojie’s Advice To The Government Regarding Educational Regulatory Body
Julius Okojie advises the government to always fund regulatory organizations like NUC, NBTE, NCCE, and other organizations to successfully carry out their duties in the area of education.
The government should also empower the NUC with the authority to play a vital role in overseeing educational affairs and play a crucial role in notifying the government of choices that will have an impact on institutions.
According to Julius, a child’s identity is created during the primary and secondary years of education, so the government should ensure that both levels of education are of a high standard.
He went even further, recommending institutions of higher learning to make wise funding requests and to live in harmony with the local communities since an institution that is unable to have a beneficial impact on its community is not really effective.
That claim was made in Julius Okojie’s 2016 interview, “I Achieved 75% Vision: Nigerian University System Prof. Julius Okojie, Former NUC Executive Secretary,” which can be found at https://thechronicleofeducation.net/.
Indeed, the visionary leader does really understand the requirements of their people.
Julius Okojie`S Notable Achievements And Accomplishments
Make sure you have a beneficial impact on people’s life if you are gifted with a variety of abilities. Don’t let it perish along with you. Let’s look at some of Julius Okojie’s noteworthy accomplishments as an academic administrator.
- Between 2002 and 2016, Julius received federal government clearance for 63 universities.
- He has received the Office of the Order of the Niger’s National Honor (OON).
- Among other things, he was able to present the University Maiden Distinguished Lecture Series in FUNAAB, which upheld strong educational standards.
- He founded the Nigeria Research Education Network (NGREN), which offers the research and educational communities more affordable bandwidth and effective network infrastructure.
- The creation of African Centers for Excellence (ACE), whose goals include encouraging regional specialization among participating universities and enhancing their capacity to provide top-notch instruction and applied research.
- He is a man of many firsts in the university’s history.
- He was named the University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor and oversaw the planting of a 250-hectare cashew plantation, which served as both the foundation for the creation of the Industrial Park at the University and a source of internally generated income.
- He reinstated merit-based federal scholarships for students majoring in agriculture, education, and medicine.
- He was elected Chairman and Chief Promoter of the Esan Land Center for Research and Development (CERDEL).
- He was initially appointed as the NUC’s executive secretary and then reappointed for a second term.
- He has extensive academic and educational experience.
- He was named the Vice Chancellor of Bells University Technology, Ota, as well as the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB).
- He presided over the NUC Standing Committee on Private Universities (SCOPU). Additionally, he joined the Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN), the Science Association of Nigeria (FSAN), and the African Academy of Sciences (FAAS) (FFAN).
- At the age of 70, he retired and earned the title of professor.
Some Career Challenges Julius Okojie Faced
Although challenges are inevitable, they can nonetheless aid in growth, learning, and numerous accomplishments. Julius Okogie faced several challenges even as he rose to higher educational levels and positions.
Prof. Julius Okojie faced educational issues like strikes, outdated curricula, poor infrastructure, security threats, and corruption. He claimed that the strike had been a significant issue and challenge during his tenure as an educational administrator since it cut short the academic year at universities and resulted in very low educational quality over time, which led to a breach in the educational sector.
He continued by stating that there are financial difficulties because funds are crucial for performing effectively and providing the best services ever. He also had to deal with the nagging parents who believed the university certificate was not good enough.
He stressed how corruption had permeated the entire educational system, such that universities would demand a total of 1.5 million students every year to raise money, knowing full well that they don’t have the infrastructure to cater to them.
The issue of everyone wanting degree certificates, he continued, may persist until there is some sort of enlightenment, and his successor will have to deal with them. This was stated in an interview article on https://thechronicleofeducation.net/.
He may have faced more challenges than those stated, but always remember that challenges are there to make you stronger. It’s comforting to know that despite all of these challenges, Julius Okojie triumphed, did his best, and achieved over 75% of his educational plan.
Julius Okojie Advice To Youths
An adage will say, “He who has ears, let him hear. The great academician advised upcoming generations to maintain and uphold integrity, righteousness, diligence, and hard work.
He advised that youths should expand their knowledge and make connections with well-known mentors because that is how opportunity, growth, and influence come about. He also suggested that we avoid bad bargains, hone in on excellent ones, and effectively change the lives of others.
Today, we honor “Julius Okojie,” a person of good virtue, honesty, and impeccable character.
Download the first chapter of The Storytelling Series: Beginners’ Guide for Small Businesses & Content Creators by Obehi Ewanfoh.
