The American University of Nigeria (AUN) has appointed Dr. Chidi Ononiwu as the substantive Dean of the School of Information Technology and Computing (SITC), with the appointment taking effect on August 1, 2026.
The announcement was made to the university community by AUN President, DeWayne Frazier, on May 6, 2026, ahead of the institution’s 17th Commencement Ceremony. The appointment follows Dr. Ononiwu’s successful tenure as interim dean, during which he was credited with providing steady leadership and strengthening the school’s academic and administrative structures.
An Associate Professor at AUN, Dr. Ononiwu has established himself as a respected scholar and academic leader with extensive experience in teaching, research, and institutional development. He earned a PhD in Information Systems from the University of Cape Town and also holds advanced postgraduate qualifications from the University of Waikato and Victoria University. He obtained his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics and Computer Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
According to Dr. Frazier, Dr. Ononiwu has played a significant role in the growth and development of the School of Information Technology and Computing since joining AUN in 2014. Over the years, he has served as Postgraduate Coordinator and contributed extensively to curriculum development, doctoral education, and institutional governance. He is also widely recognised for mentoring postgraduate students and supervising several doctoral dissertations and master’s theses.
Beyond his teaching and administrative responsibilities, Dr. Ononiwu has contributed to strengthening AUN’s research profile through competitive grant initiatives, collaborative research projects, and scholarly publications in Information Systems and related fields.
His teaching portfolio covers a broad range of subjects, including artificial intelligence applications in business, systems analysis and design, cybersecurity, business analytics, software development, information security, and research methodology.
Before transitioning fully into academia, Dr. Ononiwu built professional experience across Nigeria, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. His industry background includes roles in banking technology and information technology consulting with organisations such as Inlaks Computers, Citizens Bank, Assurance Bank, and Skilled Group, as well as SAP consulting engagements in New Zealand.
His research interests span blockchain technology, fintech, cybersecurity governance, artificial intelligence, enterprise resource planning systems, big data analytics, and digital transformation, particularly in the context of developing economies.
Reported by John Abah