On Friday, July 11, 2026, Ebonyi State increased its growing tally of tertiary educational institutions and celebrated the official presentation of a Certificate of Recognition for the establishment of the University of Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering (UAAE) in Ezza, Ebonyi State, by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Following the Approval, the university is expected to commence 25 undergraduate programmes across five faculties for the 2026/2027 academic session.
The approval covers programmes in the Faculty of Engineering (12 departments), Faculty of Science (7 departments), Faculty of Computing (4 departments), and Faculty of Business Management (2 departments).
UAAE is Nigeria’s first Aeronautics and Aerospace University and the 69th state university in the country according to the NUC. A physics major and scholar is tasked with the important role of leading this tertiary institution and steering it to academic excellence.
Meet Prof Patrick Nwofe
Professor Patrick Akata Nwofe is the current Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering (UAAE) in Ezza, Ebonyi State. He was appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor in September 2024 and substantive Vice-Chancellor in October 2025.
Academic Profile
- Professor Nwofe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and an MSc with Commendation in Optoelectronic and Communication Systems.
- He holds a PhD in Photovoltaic Materials and Solar Cells from Northumbria University, United Kingdom.
- He is also a Postdoctoral Research Fellow of the Matsuame International Foundation, Japan, and a recipient of the prestigious TWAS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship.
Professional Profile
- A Professor of Solid State and Solar Energy Physics, he has built an impressive academic career at Ebonyi State University, rising from his appointment in 2006 to become a Professor in 2019.
- He served as a Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Science and Head of the Department of Industrial Physics. He was also the Chairman of the Faculty Committee on Research. Since 2022, he is an external examiner at Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Scholarly Work
- Professor Nwofe is a globally recognised researcher with over 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals. He also boasts an H-index of 16 and hundreds of academic citations.
- His research spans renewable energy, photovoltaic materials, solar cells, optoelectronic devices and space physics.
- He has presented research across leading international platforms. In Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America. He has also earned several international scholarships, fellowships and academic awards.
Ebonyi State’s Growing Academic Profile
Ebonyi State, famously known for its agricultural prowess, is fast becoming a hub for academic pursuit. Various new-age tertiary institutions are sprouting. In the last five years, Ebonyi has added many notable tertiary institutions. They range from the University of ICT, Oferekpe, to the older Federal University Ndufu-Alike (FUNAI).
Supporting educational initiatives like the FON Scholars initiative by the Francis Nwifuru administration adds to the education renaissance happening in the state, previously known for its agricultural produce and natural resources.
