Endowed Professorial Chairs at the University of Port Harcourt

Endowed professorial chairs represent one of the highest academic honors within the University of Port Harcourt and serve as pillars of research excellence, leadership, and societal impact. Each chair is established through the generous support of individuals, families, corporations, or public institutions, with the shared goal of advancing scholarship in key areas of national and global importance.

These chairs provide scholars with the resources and institutional backing needed to conduct focused, long-term research that pushes the boundaries of knowledge in their fields. Whether addressing critical issues in petroleum engineering, environmental sciences, applied linguistics, political economy, or public health, the work conducted under each chair is rooted in a deep commitment to excellence and relevance.

Importantly, these positions also foster mentorship, contribute to postgraduate training, and strengthen the University’s role in policy dialogue and innovation. The presence of endowed chairs reinforces the University of Port Harcourt’s status as a hub for thought leadership and scholarly influence in Nigeria and beyond.

The following is a current list of endowed professorial chairs at the University, including their academic leaders and benefactors, who continue to shape the research landscape across disciplines.

SN	Name of Professorial Chair	Chair Occupant	Sponsors	Date Established	Phone No	MOUS	Letter of Appointment	Funds Available
1	PTDF Chair of Gas Engineering	Prof. Dulu Appiah	PTDF	2012
2	Emmanuel Egbogah Chair of Petroleum Engineering	Prof. J.A. Ajienka	Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah, OON	2004	08033166856
3	Shell/Aret Adams Chair of Petroleum Engineering	Prof. S.S. Ikiensikimama	SPDC	2011	08033124495
4	Bamanga Tukur Chair of Intl Trade & Dveelopemnt	Prof. A. Gbosi	HE Alhaji Dr. Bamanga Tukur	2011	08033428426		✔	N1m
5	O.B. Lulu-Briggs Chair of Petroleum Geosciences	Prof. M. Odigi	High Chief Dr. O.B. Lulu Briggs	2011	08035320157		✔
6	Ayebaemi Spiff Chair of Environmental Chemistry	Prof. Michael Horsfall	HE. Chief Timipre Sylva, Former Governor of Bayelsa State	2011	07034422116		✔	N20m Spent – N2.6m Bal. – N17.4m
7	Stanley Lawson Chair of Environmental Geology	Prof. Enuvie Akpokodje	Dr. Stanley Lawson	2012	08033129414		✔	N14m
8	Kay Williamson Chair of Applied Linguistics	Prof. Ozo Mekuri-Ndimele	Kay Williamson Estate + HE Chief Timipre  Sylva	2012	08033410255		✔	N10m
9	E.J. Alagoa Chair of Historiography	Prof. Abi Derefaka	HRH King A. Turner	2012	08033422133			N10m Spent – N3.4m Bal. – N6.6m
10	Claude Ake Chair of Political Economy	Prof. Eme Ekekwe	Rivers State Government	2012			✔	N25m
11	Emmanuel Anosike  Chair of Biochemistry	Prof. Mike Monanu	Family & Friends	2012	08033122573		✔	N2m
12	Clement Nimenibo Chair of Music	To be appointed	Family & Friends	2012				N2m Spent – N157k Bal. – N843k
13	Enoch George Chair of Geotechnical Engineering	Engr. Prof. S.U Ejezie	Engr. Enoch George	2014			✔	N10m
14	Sylvanus J.S Cookey Chair of Malaria Studies	Prof. I.M. Siminialayi	Prof. S.J.S Cookey	2014			✔	N2m Spent – N1.03m Bal. – N969k
15	Emmanuel Pauker Chair of Sickle cell Research	Prof. A.A. Uwakwe	Sen. Emmanuel Palker	2014			✔	N5m
16	Bene Willie Abbey Chair of Nutritional and Environmental Biochemistry	Prof. Mathew Wegwu	Research grants	2014
17	NCDMB/ Deziani Allison-Madueke Chair of Oil Field chemical Research	Prof. Ogbonna Joel	NCDMB	2014
18	Otis Chair of Coast Engineering		Engr. Otis Anyeji	2014
19	Melford Graham-Douglas Chair in Pediatric Surgery	Prof. Innocent George		2014
20	Godwin J. Igwe Chair in Gas, Refining & Petrochemical Engineering	Prof. B. Evbuonwan	Prof. Godwin J. Igwe	2022		✔		N10m
21	NCC Chair on ICT and Telecommunications	Prof. Bourdillon O. Omijeh	NCC	2022