The Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri is located in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, Nigeria. The institution was founded in 1963 as the Advanced Teachers Training College with technical assistance from UNESCO, by the defunct Eastern Nigeria Government on the grounds of the Old Shell Camp, Owerri. It has since expanded across the Orlu Road on the Nworie River. It was charged with the responsibility of training teachers in line with the Ashby report on Higher Education in Nigeria. In 1973, via Edict No. 11 promulgated by the Administrator of East-Central State of Nigeria, Ukpabi Asika, the Teachers College became a College of Education and was named Alvan Ikoku College of Education (A.I.C.E.), in honour of Mr. Alvan Ikoku, a teacher and educationist, founder of the first African owned secondary school in Nigeria (Aggrey Memorial Grammar School) and President of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) for many years.
When it became Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, it started with 150 students and by 2012 the student population had grown to over 13,000, with over 600 academic staff. The students included regular undergraduates, sandwich course students, evening and weekend students and post-graduates studying the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE). It awarded the National Certificate in Education (NCE) and the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) and, in affiliation, with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) since 1984. With the upgrade of the erstwhile College to a University of Education, the institution admitted the first batch of degree students under its own banner in the 2024/2025.
In 1976, a campus of the College catering to the Department of Agriculture was established in Umuahia, now the capital of Abia State. Next was the establishment of an Orlu campus in 1981, but the multi-campus system was ended in 1987 and the College reverted to a single campus institution.
In 2007, the Federal Government took over the College and it metamorphosed into Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (A.I.F.C.E.), Owerri. The Federal Government take-over brought improved financial aid and the institution has been able to renovate old structures, build large classrooms, laboratories and hostels and expanded the staff strength. It also enabled the College to start new departments and Schools and establish new ventures.
On May 20, 2015, the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Goodluck Jonathan upgraded the school to a full-fledged university to be called Alvan Ikoku University of Education. However, a few months later, the Muhammadu Buhari administration put the upgrade “on hold.” However, in October, 2023, the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu restored the upgrade of the institution to university status.
Faculties/Schools in the University
The University has Faculties which include the following:
- Faculty of Arts (FOA)
- Faculty of Social and Management Sciences (FSMS)
- Faculty of Education (FOE)
- Faculty of Specialised Education (FSE)
- Faculty of Sciences (FOS)
- Faculty of Vocational and Technology Education (FVTE)
- School of General Studies (SGS)
Past Principals/Provosts of the College
In its College days, it had the following:
Mr. A. J. Brooks
Mr. J. O. Wachukwu (1970)
Mr. Munonye (1970–1974)
Prof. B. O. Ukeje (First Provost: 1974 – 1980)
Prof. S. N. Nwosu (1980 – 1985)
Prof. N. A Nwagwu (1986 – 1992)
Prof. E. N. Emenyonu (1992 – 1995)
Dr. Dan Onwukwe (Acting: 1995)
Prof. A. E. Afigbo (Sole Administrator: 1996 – 1997)
Prof. L. E Amadi (1997 – 1999)
Dr. Dan Onwukwe (1999 – 2004)
Prof. Ngozi Uwazurike (2004 – 2009)
Dr. H. C. Amadi (Acting: 2009 – 2010)
Prof. (Mrs.) Blessing C. Ijioma (2010 – 2017)
Dr. Dan C. Anyanwu (2017 — 2022)
Dr. (Mrs) Stella Ngozi Lemchi (2022 — 2024)
Vice-Chancellors of the University
Prof. Stella Ngozi Lemchi (Acting: July 2024 — Jan 2025)
Prof. Stella Ngozi Lemchi ( Jan 2025 — Feb. 10 2025)
Prof. Aloysius C. Onyeka (2025)
With the upgrade in status from a College to a University, Prof. Stella Ngozi Lemchi, variously served as Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Acting Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor. Presently, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University is Professor Aloysius Chijioke Onyeka.
In its College days, the institution was notably styled “primus inter pares”, first among equals in Colleges of Education in Nigeria, because of its outstanding impact in the teacher education sector in Nigeria.
