Prof Austin Nosike, a leading Economist and Management scholar has been appointed as Vice Chancellor of James Hope University, Lekki Lagos, Nigeria.
In an official statement by the Board of Trustees of the University dated August 8, 2025, the Board, in the exercise of its powers conferred by the Universities Act considered the submission of the Joint Governing Council, Senate, Search Team and approved the appointment of Prof Nosike as substantive Vice Chancellor of the institution.
Prof Nosike has three decades of experience in higher education and human capacity building ie teaching, research and consulting experiences
in both private and public institutions across Africa, America, Europe and Asia. Prof Nosike brings to James Hope University several years of experience as a distinguished scholar and astute administrator committed to championing academic excellence and international best practices in higher education and human capital development. His has previously held several administrative positions as Head of Department; Director; Dean; and Deputy Vice Chancellor in the university system across the globe.
As Vice-Chancellor, Prof Nosike is the Chief Executive, Chief Accounting and Academic Head of the University, ex-officio member of the Governing Council, Chairman of Senate and Chairman of Congregation. He is the Chief Exponent of all the educational missions of the university and his office serves as the nerve center of all activities including protocol, external relations and the coordination of various internal organs of the university. The Vice-Chancellor has an overall responsibility and accountability for the effective and efficient management and leadership of the University in line with its policies, goals and objectives, financial leadership that enables the University to accomplish its mission and to uphold its core values, upholding the image of the University at all times
Prof Nosike is expected to exercise general superintendence over the university and regulates the admission of students, subject to the guidelines and procedures approved by the University Senate and other relevant statutory agencies. He sees to the day-to-day administration and ensures that the provisions of the Laws, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations of the University are observed. The Vice-Chancellor shall at all times advise the Governing Council on any matter affecting the finance, and the administration of the University; be responsible to the Governing Council in maintaining peace, order and efficient management of the affairs and ensuring the enforcement of the Laws, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations of the university; and be responsible to the Governing Council for discipline in the university.
James Hope University is a fully accredited and recognized university of the Federal Government of Nigeria born out of the philanthropic endeavors of Jim Ovia, Foundation. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Jim Ovia consistently pursued more than just business success. Deeply committed to the development of Nigeria and the well-being of its people, he has always believed that the fruits of his success should contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress and international higher education.
In line with this belief, he established the James Hope College Foundation in May 2013, a not-forprofit initiative focused on delivering world-class education. The College’s success, combined with sustained encouragement from stakeholders, guidance from the National Universities Commission (NUC), and a desire to extend the Foundation’s impact to the highest level of education, inspired the decision to establish James Hope University.
To bring this vision to life, a Planning and Implementation Committee (PIC) comprising seasoned academics and industry experts was formed to oversee the foundational development of the University. In 2021, James Hope University was officially granted its license to operate by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Universities Commission(NUC). The University has since commenced academic activities.
Prof Nosike began his career as a Journalist, human rights activist and public relations professional. His experience in management consultancy is broad, deep and current having worked with Ace Consultancy Services; Afro-Euro Consult and Peak Consultancy Services where he facilitated several human capital development initiatives including Senior Executive Courses, Inhouse Training Programs, Recruitment Exercises and Corporate Auditing. Prof Nosike has organized over 100 international conferences, seminars and workshops across the globe. He maintains consulting status with several governments, international agencies and NGOs and has worked on a number of research projects and human capacity-building initiatives centered on globalization, corporate governance, development management, business environment, public/social policy, finance, consumer behaviour, industrial relations, environmental management, human ecology, project management, corporate re-engineering, peace, security and human rights.
Prior to this appointment, Prof Nosike has held senior management positions at International University of Equator, Bujumbura-Burundi; University of Kigali, Kigali-Rwanda; Metropolitan
International University(MIU); Copperstone University, Kitwe-Zambia; and Ugandan Pentecostal
University, Fort Portal amongst others. He was Visiting Professor of Finance and Management at Kigali Independent University(ULK); Visiting Scholar of Globalization and Development at Universidad de Basque Country, Gipuzkoa-Spain; President, Development Africa Consortium, a leading international consulting and research institution and President, African Academy of Economics.
Prof Nosike has held several teaching, research, consulting and administrative positions at Open Christian University, Delaware-USA; African Institute of Management, Technology and Development Studies, Kigali-Rwanda; University of Mkar, Mkar-Nigeria; Uganda Management and Technology University(UTAMU); Avance International University, Kampala-Uganda; Kaduna Polytechnic; Nigerian Defense Academy; Technological and Economic Development Mission-(TEDEM);Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri; The African Management Institute, African Union Commission, Addis Ababa-Ethiopia and a number of other international agencies, governments and civil societies. He has also held appointments as Research Fellow, Professor, Chair and Director at Ballsbridge University; Granada Management Institute (Universidad de Granada), Granada-Spain; Afro-Euro Centre for Development Studies, AccraGhana and Mediterranean Centre for Social and Educational Research (Sapienza University), Rome-Italy.
Upon the invitation of the Government of Namibia under the auspices of the National Council for Higher Education(NCHE), Prof Nosike served as Chairperson of the University Audit Panel in 2024. The appointment was in line with best global practices in headhunting for strategic positions in the management of Higher Educational Institutions (HEI). Engagement of the Nigerian-born academic, ushered in innovation and academic eminence in quality assurance, academic planning and resource verification.
Prof Nosike has supervised to completion several PhD candidates and Masters Students. His leadership, mentorship and research experience is enviable as he guides his team of postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows through the research journey. He is a Higher Education Expert and Chartered Administrator; Fellow of Board of Quality Standard: Fellow of Institute of Policy Management Development; Fellow of Chartered Institute of Professionals amongst others.
Prof Nosike is a recipient of several fellowships and research grants. He has received many awards and recognitions to his credit as an outstanding scholar. He won First Prize Essay Award, 1992 International Essay Competition for Nigerian University Students (Forum for the Advancement of Nigeria, Philadelphia-USA).He has received other awards,honours, recognition and prizes including Central European University Fellowship Award; Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Travel Research Grant Award; International Institute of Human Rights Fellowship Award; Imo State Government Scholarship Award (Imo State Scholarship Board);International Youth of the
Year Award(Africa), International Biographical Centre, Cambridge England; Marquis Who’s Who in the World; International Who’s Who of Professionals, North Carolina USA;20th Century Award for Achievement in Education; Dictionary of International Biography and Special Commendation from the Chairman of Editorial Board, Imo Newspapers Ltd (The Statesman).
Prof Nosike was a Delegate, Pan African Summit on Water, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2003;West African Delegate at African Civil Society Consultative Meeting on Water, Sanitation and Human Settlement,(UNECA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia),2004; Special Observer at 2003 African Ministerial Council on Water and Sanitation, Addis Ababa; Nigerian Delegate at the African Hunger Summit, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa,2004;Delegate at the 3rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union; Special Observer at 5th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union; Secretary of Dr. Jean Griffith Team on Human Resources Selection Panel at African Union Commission, 2004; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Centre for Environment and Community Development, 2002–;Co-founder, Network on Water and Development in Nigeria,2003; and Secretary, Niger Delta Network on Human Rights.
He was Chairman, Human Settlement Session(Africa) for the Commission for Sustainable Development(CSD12) at UN Conference Centre, Addis Ababa; Secretary, Nigeria Money and Capital Market Project in 1995;Project Team Leader of Niger Delta Environmental Health Project in 2003; 1996 Guest Lecturer, Association of Citizens for Service, Lagos; Team Leader, Economic Globalization and Labour Study Group, Afro-Euro Centre for Development Studies, Warsaw in 2006; Resource Fellow, African Leadership Forum, Ota-Abeokuta; Consultant on Water, Sanitation and Human Ecology, United Nations Commission for Africa (UNECA), Addis AbabaEthiopia; Regional Co-ordinator, Association of Citizens for Service, 1994-1996; Member, Imo State Committee on the Review of Education and Development, 1995; Guest Lecturer at 2000 Jubilee Youth Rally, Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria; Trustee, Youths for Christ Foundation,1999-;Member, Governing Council, Centre for Applied Development and Public Policy, Abidjan; Chairman, Publicity Sub-Committee, 1992 Second Alvana Social Science
Congress; Member, Advisory Panel for the Programme on Spatial Equity of Social Services in Nigeria; Founder of Cajetan Nosike Memorial Trust; Member, of “Nigerian Development Since 1960” Project and Nigerian Development Council, Abuja.
Prof Nosike has participated, co-ordinated and served on over 30 research programs. He has over 200 publications including books, edited book of readings, conference proceedings, academic journal articles, book chapters, conference papers and monographs to his credit. He has delivered Convocation Lectures, Invited Lectures, Keynote Speeches, Lead papers at several events in different countries. He is founding President, African Association of Journal Editors. He is Editor in Chief, Journal of Business and Economics; Editor in Chief, Journal of Social and Educational Research; Editor, African Journal of Development Studies, Editorial Consultant, Tonyben Publishers Ltd; Consultant Macmillan Press Ltd, Lagos; Editorial Consultant, Fourth Dimension Publishers Ltd, Enugu; Book Reviewer, Micro Computer Application for the New Age,2000; Managing Editor, Journal of Social and Policy Studies; Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Women Studies and Research; Editor, African Development Review (Joint Publication of the African Management Institute and Development Africa Consortium); Secretary, Editorial Board, African Journal of Research in Education and serves on the editorial board of numerous international journals.
Prof Nosike has a proven track record in higher education and an outstanding commitment to fostering learning and research. He is balanced to make a sustainable impact on the university and the broader academic community. The appointment is expected to usher in an era of growth and excellence at the university. A scholar of Prof Nosike’s pedigree with a proven track record in higher education and human capital development brings a holistic perspective to university governance with emphasis on the importance of fostering a dynamic learning environment and community engagement. His vision for James Hope University is to promote a vibrant educational community where staff and students and other stakeholders are supported to achieve academic excellence. He is deeply committed to student success, and his tenure is expected to enhance more opportunities for innovation, research, collaborations, and a strong emphasis on community outreach.
Born on March 23, 1972, Prof Nosike graduated with Distinction from Anambra State College of Education, Awka and received BSc(Hons) Upper Second Class degree from University of Nigeria in 1993 before graduate studies at Centre for Social Studies(CSS), Warsaw-Poland; University of Lancaster, United Kingdom; Central European University(CEU), Budapest-Hungary and
International Institute for Human Rights, Strasbourg-France. He holds Master’s degree in Project Management from Universidad Catolica San Antonio de Murcia(UCAM), Murcia-Spain; PhD Economics(Distinction) from Universidad Central de Nicaragua; MSc Accounting and Finance and Doctor of Business Administration(DBA) from Universidad Azteca, Chalco-Mexico. Prof Nosike, a Christian of catholic faith has visited over 30 countries. He speaks two international languages (Spanish and English) and is married with children.
