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The Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State, Okoro Kalu, has emerged the 2026 Education Administrator of the Year at the 8th Leadership Excellence Awards (LEEX), polling 148,267 votes in a nationwide public voting exercise.
Kalu’s emergence comes amid reported improvements in staff welfare, preparations to clear years of delayed promotions and a rise in student intake to more than 6,000 new entrants, according to details he disclosed during a visit by the Founder and Executive Director of Igbere TV, James Anyalekwa, who formally notified him of the award on Tuesday.
Anyalekwa, who organises the annual awards, said the LEEX recognises outstanding contributions to public service, education, politics, business and other sectors. He noted that Igbere TV had sustained the initiative since 2019 to celebrate leadership and professional excellence across Nigeria and Africa.
Kalu defeated the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Prof. Nnenna Oti, who emerged first runner-up, and the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, who placed second runner-up.
The award presentation ceremony is scheduled for November 12, 2026, at the Nigerian Air Force Banquet Hall, Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Kalu attributed the recognition to divine grace, describing it as a call to greater responsibility.
“Grace brought me this far, and I feel great about it. I see it as a call to duty,” he said.
The Rector, however, stressed that grace must be accompanied by diligence, consistency and a deliberate commitment to doing what is right to achieve meaningful results.
He said his passion for teaching and desire to contribute to society had motivated his decision to serve, adding that his ambition extended beyond the classroom to creating opportunities for young people and improving lives across the wider community.
“I want to impact not just the lives of young people, but the public as a whole, and that is what I am doing,” he said.
Kalu reiterated his ambition to position Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic among Africa’s leading technical education institutions, capable of competing globally.
He acknowledged the role of Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, in giving him the opportunity to serve, saying the state government’s support had helped the institution pursue its development agenda.
On the challenges he inherited when he assumed office in March 2024, the Rector identified outstanding staff salary arrears, delayed promotions and strained institutional relationships as some of the major issues confronting the Polytechnic.
He disclosed that staff promotions had not been conducted since 2012 before his appointment, adding that the institution was preparing appraisal exercises for the 2025 and 2026 promotion cycles.
Kalu also cited improved relations among staff and students, pointing to the emergence of an Akwa Ibom indigene as President of the Students’ Union Government as evidence of an institutional environment that promotes unity across ethnic and state boundaries.
On student enrolment, he recalled that the Polytechnic had previously recorded low intake but said the institution was now admitting more than 6,000 new students, with enrolment still ongoing.
He credited Governor Otti’s support for helping the Polytechnic advance its development plans and commended Igbere TV for sustaining the Leadership Excellence Awards.
Kalu said recognising excellence required integrity and a genuine appreciation of outstanding performance.
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