Who is Prof. Ikechukwu Nosike Simplicius Dozie?

Prof. Ikechukwu Nosike Simplicius Dozie is a Professor of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology whose academic career spans over three decades of teaching, research, university administration and public service.

Born on March 3, 1966, Prof. Dozie obtained his B.Sc. in Microbiology/Biochemistry and M.Sc. in Medical Microbiology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, before earning a Ph.D. in Medical Entomology and Parasitology from the University of Jos.

He also undertook executive management training at the Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI), Israel, in collaboration with the Harvard University Extension School, broadening his expertise in higher education leadership and university management.

Prof. Dozie began his academic career at Imo State University, Owerri, in 1992, rising through the ranks to become Professor in 2005. Following years of academic collaboration with the Federal University of Technology, Owerri as a Visiting Professor, he transferred his services to FUTO in 2011 after serving the University in key strategic roles, including Executive Assistant to the 5th Vice-Chancellor, Prof. C.O.E. Onwuliri, and Co-ordinator of the Vice-Chancellor's Office.

He has also held visiting and adjunct professorial appointments at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, and Imo State University, Owerri.

An accomplished university administrator, Prof. Dozie has served FUTO as Head, Department of Public Health Technology; Dean of the School of Health Technology, Director of Linkages and Advancement, Chairman of Committee of Deans, member of the 11th Governing Council of FUTO, and numerous strategic Senate and Council committees.

His leadership has been instrumental in securing programme accreditations, pioneering new academic programmes, strengthening institutional partnerships promoting resource mobilisation, and advancing the University's strategic development.

Prof. Dozie's administrative leadership reached a defining milestone in 2021 when he was appointed the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University (KOMU), Ideato, Imo State. Over the next five years, he successfully guided the young university through its formative stage, establishing strong academic, administrative and governance structures that positioned it for sustainable growth.

His appointment in 2026 as the 9th Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri marked a rare transition in Nigerian higher education leadership, from successfully leading one public university as Vice-Chancellor to being entrusted with the leadership of another.

A renowned scholar and researcher, Prof. Dozie is internationally recognised for his contributions to medical microbiology, parasitology, epidemiology, infectious diseases and public health. His work has attracted competitive research grants and collaborations from organisations including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, UNDP/World Bank, TDR Geneva, CODESRIA and TETFund.

He also served as Temporary Adviser to the WHO/African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (WHO/APOC) in South Sudan and has contributed significantly to disease control initiatives, health policy, and public health interventions across Nigeria and Africa.

Prof. Dozie has supervised over 200 undergraduate research projects, numerous Master's dissertations and several doctoral theses, mentoring a generation of scholars and professionals now serving in universities, research institutions, and the health sector. His contributions to scholarship extend to editorial leadership as Managing Editor of the Journal of Innovations in Life Sciences and reviewer for several reputable scientific journals.

Widely respected for his commitment to quality assurance in higher education, he has served on numerous National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation panels, institutional assessment teams, and Presidential Visitation Panels to Nigerian universities. He has also rendered national service as a facilitator for the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Induction Course for Ambassador-Designates, among other strategic national assignments.

Prof. Dozie is a Fellow of several prestigious professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society for Microbiology (FNSM), the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (FPPSN), the Society for Environmental and Public Health of Nigeria (FSEPHON) and the Postgraduate College of Environmental Health Sciences of Nigeria (FPCEHSN), reflecting his enduring contributions to science, public health and higher education.

Beyond academia, Prof. Dozie is widely admired for his commitment to community development, mentorship, and faith-based service, exemplifying the values of integrity, compassion, and servant leadership.

He is happily married to Dr. Mrs. Chinomso Patricia Dozie, an Associate Professor in the Directorate of General Studies, FUTO. Their marriage is blessed with four children.

Prof. I.N.S. Dozie brings to FUTO a rare blend of academic excellence, strategic leadership, international exposure, and institutional experience most suited for the top job at Nigeria’s premier university of technology.