Prof. Otu Otu Akanu
Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences
Professor Otu, Otu Akanu is a distinguished Nigerian academic, administrator, scholar and Professor of Public Administration with specialization in Human Resource Management. He hails from Unwana Autonomous Community in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Over the years, he has established himself as an accomplished teacher, making significant contributions to higher education, public administration, and institutional development.
Professor Akanu obtained his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Government and Public Administration from Abia State University, Uturu. Driven by a passion for academic excellence and professional development, he further earned a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Public Administration with specialization in Personnel Management from University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He subsequently obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Public Administration with specialization in Human Resource Management from University of Nigeria, Nsukka, equipping him with extensive expertise in public sector governance, organizational management, human resource development, and public policy.
Throughout his academic career, Professor Akanu has demonstrated exceptional leadership and administrative competence. He is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ebonyi State, where he provides strategic leadership for the faculty, promotes academic excellence, and support research, innovation, and community engagement.
Before his election as Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences in July, 2026, Professor Akanu served in several key leadership positions with the University. He was the Dean of faculty of Management Sciences (2025-2026, on appointment); Dean of Students’ Affairs (2018-2021, on appointment) where he played a vital role in promoting students’ welfare, discipline, and holistic development. He also served as the Head of the Department of Political Science (2021-2024, on appointment) and later as the Head of the Department of Public Administration (2024-2025, on appointment), contributing significantly to curriculum development, quality assurance, staff mentorship, and the strengthening of both departments.
As an academic, Professor Akanu has contributed immensely to scholarship of undergraduate and postgraduate students. His research interest includes Public Administration, Human Resource Management, Personnel Management, Public Sector Reforms, Organizational Behaviour, Governance, and Development Administration. He has published extensively in reputable journals indexed in Clarivate Analytics, formerly Thomson Reuters, contributing to knowledge and policy discourses in Nigeria and beyond.
Professor Akanu is widely respected for his academic integrity, effective leadership, institutional growth, and human capacity development. His dedication to excellence has earned him recognition among colleagues, students and the wider academic community. Through his various administrative appointments, elective positions and scholarly contributions, he has continued to inspire younger academics and future leaders while advancing the mission and vision of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI).
Professor Akanu is happily married and the marriage is blessed with children.
