Ogbonnaya Ọnụ Polytechnic Rector Bags LEEX 2026 Education Administrator Of The Year Award

The Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, Engr. Dr. Christopher Okoro Kalu, has been named Education Administrator of the Year at the 8th Leadership Excellence Awards, LEEX 2026.

Okoro secured the award after polling 148,267 votes in a nationwide public voting exercise. The results were independently monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN and later ratified by the LEEX Awards Selection Committee on August 10, 2026, according to an official notification dated August 13, 2026.

The organisers said the Rector’s emergence reflected public confidence in his leadership of Ogbonnaya Ọnụ Polytechnic, citing several reforms and achievements under his administration.

Key among them are:
– Clearance of 36 months of outstanding staff salary arrears
– Restoration of academic and administrative stability
– Full accreditation for all 33 academic programmes, including digital accreditation, after previous challenges
– Highest student enrolment in over a decade

The committee also singled out the Polytechnic’s push into technology. Under Okoro, OOPoly established a Department of Artificial Intelligence — described as the first of its kind in a Nigerian polytechnic — and introduced online certification for graduates. Other cited areas include expansion of tech-focused programmes and increased activity in infrastructural and student-centred services.

The recognition comes amid ongoing infrastructural works at the Polytechnic, including projects at the Osisioma Campus and efforts to expand technology-driven academic offerings.

Other Winners
Okoro beat other top nominees to emerge winner. At the LEEX 2026 awards:
– Vice-Chancellor of FUTO, Prof Nnenna Otti, emerged 1st runner-up
– JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, emerged 2nd runner-up

In the Abia category, ASEPA was named 1st runner-up while the Ministry of Works came 2nd runner-up.

This is not the first national recognition for the Rector. In 2025, he received the Game Changer Award from Flow 94.9 FM, Umuahia, for contributions to Abia’s transformation in education, infrastructure and human capital development.

The LEEX organisers said the award followed the conclusion of nationwide voting and final ratification by the Selection Committee.