Nnenna Oti
Nnenna Nnannaya Oti (born 15 November 1958) is a Nigerian academic, administrator, and electoral official. She is a professor of soil science and environmental conservation, and the first female substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO). Oti gained national prominence in 2023 as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer for the Abia State governorship election, where her refusal to succumb to bribery and political pressure ensured the victory of Labour Party candidate Alex Otti, ending 24 years of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rule in the state.
Early life and education
Oti was born on 15 November 1958 in Afikpo North Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. She earned a Bachelor of Agriculture (B.Agric) in Soil Science from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), graduating with First Class Honours in 1982. She received multiple awards for her undergraduate performance, including the Federal Government of Nigeria Merit Award, the Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Agriculture, and the U.A.C. of Nigeria Prize for the Best Student in Agriculture.
She pursued a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry from UNN. Oti then obtained a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Irrigation Engineering with distinction from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, under an European Economic Community (EEC) Scholarship for Developing Countries (1986–1987). She completed her PhD in Soil and Environmental Conservation at FUTO in 2002, winning the National Universities Commission (NUC) Best PhD Thesis in Nigeria Award that year—a record-breaking achievement.
Academic career
Oti has over 34 years of experience in teaching, research, and administration within the Nigerian university system, with international exposure. She joined FUTO as a lecturer and rose to become a professor of soil science and environmental conservation. She served three times as Head of the Department of Soil Science and Technology in the School of Agricultural and Allied Technology (SAAT). She also chaired the Gender Policy Unit and was Dean of the Postgraduate School during her second tenure.
Her international roles include a Visiting Scholar position at The Ohio State University, USA (1996–1997), funded by a World Bank Grant; Visiting Professor at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State (2013–2015); and Adjunct Professor at Imo State University (2009–2020). Oti has consulted for government agencies, including the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority.
She is a Fellow of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria and a Chartered Soil Scientist. Her professional memberships include the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, Soil Science Society of America, Crop Science Society of America, and Agronomy Society of America.
In April 2021, Oti was elected Vice-Chancellor of FUTO, defeating six candidates with 75.5% of the vote against her closest rival's 69.7%. She assumed office as the 8th Vice-Chancellor on 19 June 2021, succeeding Francis Chukwuemeka Eze. Her administration has focused on academic excellence, infrastructure, and gender equity.
Electoral role and recognition
On 18 March 2023, Oti served as INEC Returning Officer for the Abia State governorship election. Amid delays and suspensions in result collation, she faced threats, bribes, and pressure from PDP political actors to manipulate outcomes in favor of their candidate, Okey Ahiwe. Oti publicly declared, "The pastor and the mother in me will not permit me to do anything that will adversely affect the future of our children," and insisted that "the people's votes and mandate shall stand."
She declared Alex Otti the winner with 175,467 votes against Ahiwe's 88,529, enabling a historic power shift to the Labour Party. Her actions sparked jubilation in Abia and earned her the moniker "Heroine of Nigerian Democracy." Upon returning to FUTO, staff and students welcomed her with songs and banners. In March 2023, former APGA gubernatorial aspirant Chikwe Udensi gifted her ₦100 million for her integrity.
In March 2025, at the wedding of Oti's daughter, Dr. Onyinyechi Orieoma, Abia Governor Alex Otti credited her courage for his victory, stating, "If she didn’t stand firm, I wouldn’t be here today." On 1 November 2025, Otti announced plans to immortalize Oti for her role in upholding democratic integrity.
Controversies
In 2021, Oti's administration faced backlash for promoting Communications Minister Isa Ali Pantami to professor without due process, prompting criticism from FUTO's Alumni Association and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which called it "illegal" and demanded sanctions. FUTO sued ASUU in February 2022 over the interference. In June 2023, ASUU's Owerri Zone demanded Oti's resignation over alleged corruption and anti-union activities, including her purported resignation from ASUU using official letterhead.
Personal life
Oti is married to Dr. Nnannaya Oti and has three children. She is an ordained pastor and has emphasized her faith and maternal values in public statements.
Awards and honors
- 1982: Best Graduating Student, Department of Soil Science, UNN
- 2002: NUC Best PhD Thesis in Nigeria Award
- 2003: Certificate of Merit, FUTO (for best PhD dissertation in Soil Science)
- 2004: NUC Nigeria Doctoral Thesis Award Scheme (NUDTAS) recognition
- 2014: Delegate to the National Conference (representing Ebonyi/South East)
References
- Wikipedia: Nnenna Oti
- BBC News Pidgin: Profile of Abia INEC returning officer
- Sahara Reporters: I Was Threatened, Offered Bribe To Manipulate Abia Governorship Election
- The Nigerian Voice: Professor Nnenna Oti: A Fearless Amazon Of Democracy And Integrity
- My Nigeria: Prof Nnenna Oti, the first female FUTO VC
- Reach-Out & Link-Up LTD: Prof. Nnenna Oti – a woman of integrity
- iBrand TV: 5 Things You Don’t Know About Professor Nnenna Oti
- The Sun Nigeria: Ex-APGA Guber aspirant gifts Abia REC N100m
- BusinessDay NG: Nnenna Nnannaya Oti (Professor)
- Business Hallmark: Nnenna Oti: “A profile in courage”
- African Examiner: ASUU Demands Immediate Resignation Of FUTO VC
- The InfoStride: Abia Governor Commends FUTO VC
- NewsWireNGR: Profile: Vice-Chancellor Federal University of Technology
- Punch NG: Otti hails FUTO VC’s courage
- InfoGuide Africa: Prof Nnenna Oti: 5 Things You Probably Didn't Know
- IGBO History & Facts (X Post): Abia State to honour Prof. Nnenna Oti forever
- People of Abia (X Post): Abia State To Immortalise Prof. Nnenna Oti