In a nation where the integrity of electoral processes is often questioned and where many buckle under the weight of inducement, threats, and political pressure, Prof. Nnenna Oti. Vice Chamcellor at Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) stands as a shining exception—an emblem of courage, conscience, and conviction.
During one of the most contentious elections in recent Nigerian history, precisely in 2023, Prof. Oti, serving as the Returning Officer, made a choice that was as rare as it was heroic: she refused to be compromised. In a system where backroom deals and financial inducements often decide outcomes, she stood her ground. She looked power in the face and chose to side with the people. She insisted that the vote must count—that democracy, in its purest form, must prevail. And for this, she did not just make a statement—she made history.
Threats came. Offers of money poured in. Yet, Prof. Oti was unshaken. Her moral compass did not waver. In a moment when the nation needed a reminder of what integrity looks like, she showed up—not with loud speeches, but with quiet defiance and unbending resolve. In doing so, she did what many men in her position have failed to do. She chose the path of righteousness over riches. She chose legacy over luxury.
One day, when Nigeria begins the long-overdue task of reckoning with its past—when we build two symbolic halls, one for those who served the nation with honor and the other for those who sold it for personal gain—Prof. Nnenna Oti’s name will be etched boldly into the Hall of Fame. It will stand as a testament to what is possible when one person dares to do right, even when it is hard.
To Prof. Nnenna Oti, we say thank you. Thank you for reminding us that integrity is not extinct. Thank you for showing that even in the darkest hours, there are still those who carry the light. We salute your uprightness, your courage, and your unwavering commitment to truth.
Nigeria needs more Nnenna Otis. Until then, we will hold her example high, not just as inspiration, but as a standard for all who come after her.
