![Imo State University Owerri Front gate](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Imo_State_University_Owerri_Front_gate.jpg)
The Imo State University (IMSU) in
Owerri
Owerri ( , ) is the capital city of Imo State in Nigeria, set in the heart of Igboland. It is also the state's largest city, followed by Orlu, Okigwe and Ohaji/Egbema. Owerri consists of three Local Government Areas including Owerri Municipal, ...
,
Imo State
Imo State ( ig, Ȯra Imo) is a States of Nigeria, state in the South East (Nigeria), South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north by Anambra State, Rivers State to the west and south, and Abia State to the east. It takes its n ...
,
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
was established in 1981 through law No. 4 passed by the Imo State House of Assembly.
The university admitted the first intake of 392 pioneer students on 23 October, 1981.
After the creation of
Abia State
Abia State ( ig, Ȯha Abia) is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, it is bordered to the north and northeast by the states of Enugu, and Ebonyi, Imo State to the west, Cross River State to the east, Akwa Ibom State to the ...
in 1991, the
Uturu
Uturu is a town located within latitudes 05.33°N and 06.03°N, in the northern part of Abia State, Nigeria. It is in the transition from rural to urban status, so it is witnessing many development activities. It is popularly known as a location ...
campus of the university became the
Abia State University
Abia State University Uturu (ABSU) is a Nigerian public university. It is one of the state owned universities in Nigeria. These state academic institutions were created to expand admissions and bring professional skills, expertise and modern rese ...
.
Imo State University is a fully functional university. Most of the programmes of the university have obtained full accreditation from
National Universities Commission
The National Universities Commission (NUC) is a government commission for promoting quality higher education in Nigeria. Situated in Abuja, it was established in 1962 as an advisory agency in the cabinet office. In 1974, it became a statutory b ...
(NUC) of Nigeria.
The result of the 1999/2000 accreditation exercise of the National Universities Commission (NUC) confirmed the high rate and acceptance of the university by the Nigerian public. The university was ranked first among all state universities in Nigeria and the 10th overall among both state and federal universities.
Imo state indigenes in Imo State University were granted free education during the tenure of the then Governor
Rochas Okorocha
Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha (born 22 September 1962) is a Nigerian politician of Igbo extraction, from Imo State. He is the senator representing Imo West Senatorial district at the 9th Nigerian Senate. He is also the former Governor of Imo St ...
but the programme stopped in 2016. This was announced by the Acting Vice Chancellor of IMSU, Professor Adaobi Obasi through the
Registrar
A registrar is an official keeper of records made in a register. The term may refer to:
Education
* Registrar (education), an official in an academic institution who handles student records
* Registrar of the University of Oxford, one of the se ...
, Professor Emeka Ejinkonye, who stated that the students of Imo origin would henceforth pay a token for certain services in the school.
Imo State University at
Owerri
Owerri ( , ) is the capital city of Imo State in Nigeria, set in the heart of Igboland. It is also the state's largest city, followed by Orlu, Okigwe and Ohaji/Egbema. Owerri consists of three Local Government Areas including Owerri Municipal, ...
was temporary accommodated within the campus of
Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education
The Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri is located in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, Nigeria. It was established in April, 1963 as the Advanced Teachers Training College by the defunct Eastern Nigeria Government on the grounds of ...
from May to December 1992. The university later moved to its own premises of four building within the
Federal University of Technology Owerri
The Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) is a federal government university in Owerri West, the capital of Imo State, Nigeria. The university is bounded by the communities of Eziobodo, Umuchima, Ihiagwa and Obinze. It is the premier ...
, at the Lake Nwaebere Campus. At the translocation of the Federal University to the permanent site,
Ihiagwa
Ihiagwa is a town in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. It is located south of the capital city of Owerri. The township is composed of eight villages: Umuelem, Umuchima, Mboke, Nnkaramochie, Iriamogu, Aku/Umuokwo, Ibuzo and U ...
near Owerri, the Lake Nwaebere Campus of that university was then acquired for Imo State University. The first batch of students was allocated to the Imo State University by
JAMB
A jamb (from French ''jambe'', "leg"), in architecture, is the side-post or lining of a doorway or other aperture. The jambs of a window outside the frame are called “reveals.” Small shafts to doors and windows with caps and bases are know ...
in February 1993. The National Universities Commission also formally approved the re-establishment of the university in 1992 at the Lake Nwaebere Campus. Today, Imo State University has many Faculties and Departments that graduate students every year. The university produces First Class, Second Class and Third Class graduates. These students are absorbed into the labour force after going through one your
National Youth Service Corps
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a program set up by the Nigerian government during the military regime to involve Nigerian graduates in nation-building and the development of the country. There is no military conscription in Nigeria, ...
(NYSC). The best graduated students are usually given award and automatic employment in the university.
Consequently, the government of Chief
Evan Enwerem
Evan Enwerem (29 October 1935 – 2 August 2007) was a Nigerian politician who served as President of the Nigerian Senate in 1999.
He was a member of the People's Democratic Party.
Early life
Evan Enwerem was born in Ikeduru, Imo State, Nigeria ...
, in April, 1991 did not waste time in filling the vacuum by re-establishing the University in Owerri. Two options were considered by the government in the re-establishment of Imo State University at Owerri. The first option was to move at once, all staff and students at the various stages of their programmes in
Uturu
Uturu is a town located within latitudes 05.33°N and 06.03°N, in the northern part of Abia State, Nigeria. It is in the transition from rural to urban status, so it is witnessing many development activities. It is popularly known as a location ...
who want to remain in Imo State University, now in Owerri. The second option was to rebuild the University at Owerri over specified period of time. The second option was adopted after various constitutions by government then, and a target period of five years within which to complete re-establishment of the University at Owerri was considered. Professor T. O. C. Ndubizu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
The University of Nigeria, commonly referred to as UNN, is a federal university located in Nsukka, Enugu State, Eastern part of Nigeria. Founded by Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1955 and formally opened on 7 October 1960, the University of Nigeria has thr ...
was then appointed the Vice-Chancellor with the responsibility of relocating and re-establishing Imo State University.
Academic
IMSU operates a faculty system and has 15 faculties. The faculties are headed by Deans and Faculty Officers. The Faculties have different departments under them. The Departments are headed by the Heads of Departments (HODs) who are under the Dean of the Faculties. The lecturers, the Heads of Departments and the Deans make up the Faculty Board. They are all academic members of the university, governed b
Academic Staff Union of the University(ASUU). The academic staff are responsible for the curriculum and teaching of the students. They teach, set exams, mark scripts and supervise projects.
![Imo State University Bookshop](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/Imo_State_University_Bookshop.jpg)
Imo state University also runs Post Graduate (PG) Programme for those who want to build on their First Degree Programme. As of July 30, 2012, Imo State had approval from Nigeria University Commission (NUC) to run Post Graduate Studies (PG) of Masters Degree and Ph.D
Notable alumni
*
Chiedozie Akwiwu, Nigerian businessman and philanthropist
*
Anyim Pius Anyim
Anyim Pius Anyim (born 19 February 1961) is a Nigerian politician who served as president of the Nigerian Senate from 2000 to 2003, he was Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) during Goodluck Jonathan presidency. He was elected a ...
, Nigerian politician; Former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
*
Mercy Eke
Mercy Eke is a Nigerian media personality, actress, video vixen and entrepreneur from Imo State. She won season 4 of ''Big Brother Naija'' in October 2019, becoming the first woman to win the reality show. She is the founder of Mnm luxury.
O ...
, The BBN Reality TV star
*
Uche Elendu
Uche Elendu (born 14 July 1983) is a Nigerian actress, singer and entrepreneur. She is described as one of the most consistent faces in the Nigerian movie industry from her debut in 2001 up until 2010 when she took a break from the Nigerian en ...
, Nigerian actress
*
Ada Jesus
Mercy Mmesoma Obi Nnadi ( née Obi; 19 April 1998 – 21 April 2021), popularly known as Ada Jesus was a Nigerian actress and comedian.
Early life and education
Ada Jesus was from Orlu, Imo, Nigeria. She graduated from Imo State University.
Ca ...
, Nigerian actress and comedienne
*
Chris Okewulonu, Chief of Staff
*
Paschaline Alex Okoli
Paschaline Alex Okoli is a Nigerians, Nigerian actress who played Cordelia in the sitcom Jenifa's Diary.
Personal life
Paschaline is a native of Anambra State, a South-Eastern region in Nigeria. She completed her basic and high school educati ...
, Nigerian actress
*
Joy Onumajuru, model and philanthropist
*
Chukwuemeka Ngozichineke Wogu, minister
*
Chris Anyanwu
Christiana "Chris" Anyanwu MFR (born 28 October 1951) is a Nigerian journalist, publisher, author, and politician. She was imprisoned from 1995 to 1998 for treason after reporting on a failed coup d'état against the government of Sani Abacha, ...
, Bank Manager Keystone Bank Ltd
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
1981 establishments in Nigeria
Education in Imo State
Educational institutions established in 1981