Prof. Grace Uchenna Emetarom : Distinguished Academic

Prof. (Mrs.) Grace Uchenna Emetarom is one woman who has made tremendous contribution to the advancement of the educational sector in Nigeria. A seasoned university teacher and an expert in Educational Management and Planning, she is among the few who have brought honour and glory to the nation’s university system. A stickler for rules, she is currently  Professor in the Department of Education Administration & Planning at  Abia State University, Uturu. She holds the record of being the first female professor in this department.

An indigene of Anambra State, who was born on December 22, 1956, Grace Emetarom attended Convent Primary School Izzi, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. She schooled at Holy Child Secondary School, Sharon, Abakaliki (1967; 1970-1971) and Holy Rosary Secondary School, Nsukka where she obtained the West African School Certificate in 1973. She obtained the Grade II Teachers’ Certificate having completed her studies at the Holy Rosary Teacher Training College, Uwani, Enugu in 1975. She holds the B.Ed (Educational Management and Geography) of the University of Ibadan (1980), the M.Ed (Educational Administration) of the University of Ibadan (1984) and the Ph.D (Education Administration and Planning) of Abia State University, Uturu (1998).

Prof. Emetarom excelled in sporting activities during her secondary school and university days. As a hockey player, she was the Captain of the Women’s Hockey team of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka which won the Gold Medal at the National University Games in 1977. She was also a member of the Hockey team that won a Silver Medal for the University of Ibadan at the West African Universities Games in 1979.

Her career in the teaching profession dates back to 1980/1981 during her National Youth Service when she was a Geography teacher at Methodist Grammar School Bodija , Ibadan. She was Head of the Geography Department of Girls Secondary School, Owerri between 1982-1983. She also taught at the School of Basic Studies, Michael Okpara College of Agriculture, Umuagwo Ohaji, Imo State (1985-1986) and Holy Ghost College, Owerri (1984-1989). She was employed at Abia State University, Uturu as Assistant Lecturer, in 1989. As a competent and time-tested academic, she climbed the career ladder to become a full-fledged Professor in 2010.

Prof. Emetarom has served Abia State University in several administrative capacities including as Secretary Faculty of Education Committee on Journal Proceeds (1997); Secretary, Faculty of Education Survival Committee (1998) Member, Interim Management Board, Abia State University International School (1999); Member, Senate Committee on Students’ Evaluation of Lecturers (2005); Member, Abia State University Senate (2008 to date) and Secretary, Publicity Committee, Centre for Igbo Studies (1997-2000).

She has trained many students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. She has successfully conducted over 15 researches on various issues in Education Management. She has attended several academic conferences, seminars and workshops. She has written several chapters in books as well as numerous journal articles. She is a co-author of the highly rated educational report entitled “Migrant Fishermen Education in Imo State.”

She is a member of so many learned societies including the Council for Intellectual Co-operation of Nigeria, the Nigeria Association for Educational Administration and Planning, the Commowealth Council for Educational Administration and Management, Cyprus, the National Association of Women Academics, the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, the Association for Women in Development, USA, the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Reading Association of Nigeria.

Prof. Uchenna Emetarom speaks English and Igbo languages fluently. Her hobbies include reading, networking, listening to good music, travelling, hosting friends, counselling young people, jogging, gardening and cooking. She is married with four children.

It iwas in recognition of her contribution to national development in the sphere of Higher Education that she was in the year 2011 conferred with the PSR Development in Nigeria Merit Award.