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The West African Youth Congress, a prominent organization representing the youthd in West Africa, has selected Prof. Augustine Uchechukwu Nweze, the Rector of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) and Chairman of the Association of State-owned Polytechnics Rectors in Nigeria, as a nominee for the Academic Leadership Awards at the 2023 West African Youth and Students Symposium/WARDS (WAYS-2023).

Hailing from Enugu State, Nigeria, Prof. Nweze will be competing with other academic leaders from various West African nations, including Senegal, Mali, Ghana, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Niger, Sierra Leone, Togo, among others.

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Professor Augustine Uchechukwu Nweze, a distinguished Chartered Accountant, has garnered significant recognition, with his profile already published in both French and Arabic by the West African Youth Congress (WAYC).

This coveted recognition extends across the West African Sub-Region, encompassing Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Senegal. The West African Youth Congress diligently evaluates the actions of leaders throughout the Sub-region, relying on their extensive network and yearly reports from interconnected organizations in various countries. These evaluations are the basis for nominating and celebrating individuals who have exhibited outstanding leadership qualities in West Africa.

The nomination of Prof. Uchechukwu Nweze comes as no surprise, given his unwavering commitment and expertise as an academic administrator. He has served as the Zonal Coordinator of the Rectors in the South East Geopolitical zone of Nigeria and currently holds the position of National Treasurer for COHEADS (Council of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria).

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Professor Augustine Uchechukwu Nweze, renowned for his accomplishments, hails from Obollo Afor in Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria. Born on the 11th day of the 11th month in the year 1960, his educational journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Starting as a Grade II Teacher, he taught Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, and Physics in Secondary Schools after training at the Lourdes Training College in Iwollo, Enugu State.

Prof. Nweze’s extraordinary talent in Mathematics led him to score a perfect 100% in the subject during the 1983 University Matriculation Examination, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board, despite not attending a Secondary School. Subsequently, he earned his BSc Degree in Accountancy in 1987, an MBA in 1992, and both an MSc and a PhD in 1999 and 2002, respectively, all from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Professionally, Professor Augustine Uchechukwu Nweze became a Chartered Accountant, earning membership in the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) as an Associate member (ACA) in 1992 and an Associate member (ACTI) of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) in 1996. In 2003, he attained the esteemed status of Fellow (FCA and FCTI) in both ICAN and CITN, and he was appointed a Justice of Peace (JP).

His career journey commenced in August 1988 at the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, followed by a role at Anambra Broadcasting Service, Enugu, in December 1988. In 1990, he joined Orient Bank of Nigeria Plc, serving in various branches across Nigeria. In 1992, he became an Assistant Manager (Operations) at Royal Merchant Bank Limited.

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In 1995, recognizing the changing landscape of the banking industry, Prof. Nweze transitioned to academia, joining Enugu State University of Science and Technology as a Lecturer. In 2009, he reached the pinnacle of academic achievement when he was promoted to the rank of Professor, becoming the First Professor of Accounting at Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

Subsequently, under the leadership of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi, Professor A. U. Nweze was appointed the Rector of the Institute of Management and Technology, effective from June 10, 2016.

Augustine Uchechukwu Nweze, PhD, FCA, FCTI, JP, enjoys a blissful marriage with Dr. Bernadine Ngozichukwu Nweze, who hails from the Department of Science Education at Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu. His journey serves as an inspiring testament to dedication, education, and excellence, and his nomination for the WAYS Prestigious Leadership Awards in 2023 is a testament to his remarkable achievements in the field of education and leadership.

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