Prof Austin Nosike, a leading Economist and Management scholar has been appointed as Vice Chancellor of James Hope University, Lekki-Lagos, Nigeria.

In an official statement by the Board of Trustees of the University dated August 8, 2025, the Board, in the exercise of its powers conferred by the Universities Act considered the submission of the Joint Governing Council, Senate, Search Team and approved the appointment of Prof Nosike as substantive Vice Chancellor of the institution.

Prof Nosike has three decades of experience in higher education and human capacity building ie teaching, research and consulting experiences in both private and public institutions across Africa, America, Europe and Asia.

Prof Nosike brings to James Hope University several years of experience as a distinguished scholar and astute administrator committed to championing academic excellence and international best practices in higher education and human capital development. His has previously held several administrative positions as Head of Department; Director; Dean; and Deputy Vice Chancellor in the university system across the globe.

As Vice-Chancellor, Prof Nosike is the Chief Executive, Chief Accounting and Academic Head of the University, ex-officio member of the Governing Council, Chairman of Senate and Chairman of Congregation.

He is the Chief Exponent of all the educational missions of the university and his office serves as the nerve center of all activities including protocol, external relations and the coordination of various internal organs of the university.

The Vice-Chancellor has an overall responsibility and accountability for the effective and efficient management and leadership of the University in line with its policies, goals and objectives, financial leadership that enables the University to accomplish its mission and to uphold its core values, upholding the image of the University at all times Prof Nosike is expected to exercise general superintendence over the university and regulates the admission of students, subject to the guidelines and procedures approved by the University Senate and other relevant statutory agencies.

He sees to the day-to-day administration and ensures that the provisions of the Laws, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations of the University are observed.

The Vice-Chancellor shall at all times advise the Governing Council on any matter affecting the finance, and the administration of the University; be responsible to the Governing Council in maintaining peace, order and efficient management of the affairs and ensuring the enforcement of the Laws, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations of the university; and be responsible to the Governing Council for discipline in the university.

James Hope University is a fully accredited and recognized university of the Federal Government of Nigeria born out of the philanthropic endeavors of Jim Ovia, Foundation.

Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Jim Ovia consistently pursued more than just business success.

Deeply committed to the development of Nigeria and the well-being of its people, he has always believed that the fruits of his success should contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress and international higher education.

In line with this belief, he established the James Hope College Foundation in May 2013, a not-for-profit initiative focused on delivering world-class education.

The College’s success, combined with sustained encouragement from stakeholders, guidance from the National Universities Commission (NUC), and a desire to extend the Foundation’s impact to the highest level of education, inspired the decision to establish James Hope University.

To bring this vision to life, a Planning and Implementation Committee (PIC) comprising seasoned academics and industry experts was formed to oversee the foundational development of the University. In 2021, James Hope University was officially granted its license to operate by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The University has since commenced academic activities. Prof Nosike began his career as a Journalist, human rights activist and public relations professional.

His experience in management consultancy is broad, deep and current having worked with Ace Consultancy Services; Afro-Euro Consult and Peak Consultancy Services where he facilitated several human capital development initiatives including Senior Executive Courses, In-house Training Programs, Recruitment Exercises and Corporate Auditing. Prof Nosike has organized over 100 international conferences, seminars and workshops across the globe.

He maintains consulting status with several governments, international agencies and NGOs and has worked on a number of research projects and human capacity-building initiatives centered on globalization, corporate governance, development management, business environment, public/social policy, finance, consumer behaviour, industrial relations, environmental management, human ecology, project management, corporate re-engineering, peace, security and human rights.

Prior to this appointment, Prof Nosike has held senior management positions at International University of Equator, Bujumbura-Burundi; University of Kigali, Kigali-Rwanda; Metropolitan International University(MIU); Copperstone University, Kitwe-Zambia; and Ugandan Pentecostal University, Fort Portal amongst others.

He was Visiting Professor of Finance and Management at Kigali Independent University(ULK); Visiting Scholar of Globalization and Development at Universidad de Basque Country, Gipuzkoa-Spain; President, Development Africa Consortium, a leading international consulting and research institution and President, African Academy of Economics.

Prof Nosike has held several teaching, research, consulting and administrative positions at Open Christian University, Delaware-USA; African Institute of Management, Technology and Development Studies, Kigali-Rwanda; University of Mkar, Mkar-Nigeria; Uganda Management and Technology University(UTAMU); Avance International University, Kampala-Uganda; Kaduna Polytechnic; Nigerian Defense Academy; Technological and Economic Development Mission-(TEDEM); Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri; The African Management Institute, African Union Commission, Addis Ababa-Ethiopia and a number of other international agencies, governments and civil societies. He has also held appointments as Research Fellow, Professor, Chair and Director at Ballsbridge University; Granada Management Institute (Universidad de Granada), Granada-Spain; Afro-Euro Centre for Development Studies, Accra-Ghana and Mediterranean Centre for Social and Educational Research (Sapienza University), Rome-Italy.

Upon the invitation of the Government of Namibia under the auspices of the National Council for Higher Education(NCHE), Prof Nosike served as Chairperson of the University Audit Panel in 2024.

The appointment was in line with best global practices in headhunting for strategic positions in the management of Higher Educational Institutions (HEI).

Engagement of the Nigerian-born academic, ushered in innovation and academic eminence in quality assurance, academic planning and resource verification. Prof Nosike has supervised to completion several PhD candidates and Masters Students.

His leadership, mentorship and research experience is enviable as he guides his team of postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows through the research journey.

He is a Higher Education Expert and Chartered Administrator; Fellow of Board of Quality Standard: Fellow of Institute of Policy Management Development; Fellow of Chartered Institute of Professionals amongst others.

Prof Nosike is a recipient of several fellowships and research grants. He has received many awards and recognitions to his credit as an outstanding scholar. He won First Prize Essay Award, 1992 International Essay Competition for Nigerian University Students (Forum for the Advancement of Nigeria, Philadelphia-USA).

He has received other awards,honours, recognition and prizes including Central European University Fellowship Award; Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Travel Research Grant Award; International Institute of Human Rights Fellowship Award; Imo State Government Scholarship Award (Imo State Scholarship Board);International Youth of the Year Award(Africa), International Biographical Centre, Cambridge England; Marquis Who’s Who in the World; International Who’s Who of Professionals, North Carolina USA;20th Century Award for Achievement in Education; Dictionary of International Biography and Special Commendation from the Chairman of Editorial Board, Imo Newspapers Ltd (The Statesman).

Prof Nosike was a Delegate, Pan African Summit on Water, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2003;West African Delegate at African Civil Society Consultative Meeting on Water, Sanitation and Human Settlement,(UNECA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia),2004; Special Observer at 2003 African Ministerial Council on Water and Sanitation, Addis Ababa; Nigerian Delegate at the African Hunger Summit, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa,2004;Delegate at the 3rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union; Special Observer at 5th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union; Secretary of Dr. Jean Griffith Team on Human Resources Selection Panel at African Union Commission, 2004; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Centre for Environment and Community Development, 2002–;Co-founder, Network on Water and Development in Nigeria,2003; and Secretary, Niger Delta Network on Human Rights.

He was Chairman, Human Settlement Session(Africa) for the Commission for Sustainable Development(CSD12) at UN Conference Centre, Addis Ababa; Secretary, Nigeria Money and Capital Market Project in 1995;Project Team Leader of Niger Delta Environmental Health Project in 2003; 1996 Guest Lecturer, Association of Citizens for Service, Lagos; Team Leader, Economic Globalization and Labour Study Group, Afro-Euro Centre for Development Studies, Warsaw in 2006; Resource Fellow, African Leadership Forum, Ota-Abeokuta; Consultant on Water, Sanitation and Human Ecology, United Nations Commission for Africa (UNECA), Addis Ababa-Ethiopia; Regional Co-ordinator, Association of Citizens for Service, 1994-1996; Member, Imo State Committee on the Review of Education and Development, 1995; Guest Lecturer at 2000 Jubilee Youth Rally, Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria; Trustee, Youths for Christ Foundation,1999-;Member, Governing Council, Centre for Applied Development and Public Policy, Abidjan; Chairman, Publicity Sub-Committee, 1992 Second Alvana Social Science Congress; Member, Advisory Panel for the Programme on Spatial Equity of Social Services in

Nigeria; Founder of Cajetan Nosike Memorial Trust; Member, of “Nigerian Development Since 1960” Project and Nigerian Development Council, Abuja.

Prof Nosike has participated, co-ordinated and served on over 30 research programs. He has over 200 publications including books, edited book of readings, conference proceedings, academic journal articles, book chapters, conference papers and monographs to his credit. He has delivered Convocation Lectures, Invited Lectures, Keynote Speeches, Lead papers at several events in different countries. He is founding President, African Association of Journal Editors. He is Editor in Chief, Journal of Business and Economics; Editor in Chief, Journal of Social and Educational Research; Editor, African Journal of Development Studies, Editorial Consultant, Tonyben Publishers Ltd; Consultant Macmillan Press Ltd, Lagos; Editorial Consultant, Fourth Dimension Publishers Ltd, Enugu; Book Reviewer, Micro Computer Application for the New Age,2000; Managing Editor, Journal of Social and Policy Studies; Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Women Studies and Research; Editor, African Development Review (Joint Publication of the African Management Institute and Development Africa Consortium); Secretary, Editorial Board, African Journal of Research in Education and serves on the editorial board of numerous international journals.

Prof Nosike has a proven track record in higher education and an outstanding commitment to fostering learning and research. He is balanced to make a sustainable impact on the university and the broader academic community. The appointment is expected to usher in an era of growth and excellence at the university. A scholar of Prof Nosike’s pedigree with a proven track record in higher education and human capital development brings a holistic perspective to university governance with emphasis on the importance of fostering a dynamic learning environment and community engagement. His vision for James Hope University is to promote a vibrant educational community where staff and students and other stakeholders are supported to achieve academic excellence. He is deeply committed to student success, and his tenure is expected to enhance more opportunities for innovation, research, collaborations, and a strong emphasis on community outreach.

Born on March 23, 1972, Prof Nosike graduated with Distinction from Anambra State College of Education, Awka and received BSc(Hons) Upper Second Class degree from University of Nigeria in 1993 before graduate studies at Centre for Social Studies(CSS), Warsaw-Poland; University of Lancaster, United Kingdom; Central European University(CEU), Budapest-Hungary and International Institute for Human Rights, Strasbourg-France. He holds Master’s degree in Project Management from Universidad Catolica San Antonio de Murcia(UCAM), Murcia-Spain; PhD Economics(Distinction) from Universidad Central de Nicaragua; MSc Accounting and Finance and Doctor of Business Administration(DBA) from Universidad Azteca, Chalco-Mexico.

Prof Nosike, a Christian of catholic faith has visited over 30 countries.

He speaks two international languages (Spanish and English) and is married with children

A new two-month programme using sport to empower vulnerable young people and strengthen communities against crime has launched across three Lagos Local Government Areas, thanks to a partnership between UK charity Clean Herts Community (CHC), the UK Home Office, TAG International, and the British High Commission in Lagos.

The programme, running from September to November 2025, will provide boxing and football coaching alongside life skills training and mentoring to young people in:

• Ajeromi – Boxing

• Ikorodu – Boxing and Football
• Ifako Ijaiye – Boxing

The initiative was officially launched at EliteBox Gym on 15 September, with training sessions now underway across the three Local Government Areas. Local coaches will deliver regular community-based sessions designed to build confidence, develop skills, and create positive opportunities for participants.

Speaking at the launch, British Deputy High Commissioner Simon Field said:

“ The UK is proud to support this initiative alongside CHC and TAG International. This programme demonstrates how international and local partnerships can provide young Nigerians with the tools, skills, and opportunities to thrive, and build local communities that are resilient against crime”

Nikita Joshua, Director of CHC, said:

“ We are excited to return to Lagos after our successful pop-up earlier this year. Sports has the power to transform lives, instil discipline, and provide young people with alternatives to crime. This programme is about showing young people that hard work, resilience, and sincerity can open up brighter futures.”

Mr Adekunle Lamikanra, Coordinator of Ikorodu Crime Prevention Partnership (CPP), said:

“This programme creates positive pathways for our young people by harnessing the power of sport. Football and boxing build resilience, instil discipline, and draws them away from the streets. Just as important are the mentoring sessions which speak directly to their minds and help them resist negative influences such as cultism and cybercrime. With continuous funding and support, programmes like this must remain a constant in our communities to safeguard our youths and to build a better future for all.”

Programme Background

Earlier in March 2025, CHC carried out its first international giveback in Lagos, where over 45 young people showcased their boxing, football, and digital skills. That event, supported by partners including the British High Commission Lagos, EliteBox Fitness, TAG International, Cleen Foundation, and Cyber Security Education Initiative (CYSED), demonstrated the positive impact of structured youth engagement.

Building on this success, the September–November programme will extend CHC’s reach and deepen its engagement at the grassroots of Lagos communities. The initiative is part of the wider Serious and Organised Crime (SOC) Prevent Programme, funded by the UK Home Office and implemented in Nigeria by TAG International.

“I’ve been looking for the opportunity to go big and showcase my sound to the world, let people hear my experiences and my journey,” Lagos-based singer, Mogueto confessed.

He was born Gbadamosi Ibrahim Gbolahan. Raised in Ibadan, he has been chasing music since secondary school, sneaking headphones into the hostel to practice songs with friends and eventually, moving to Lagos to chase his dreams.

When he stumbled on the Next Afrobeats Star (NAS) auditions while scrolling Instagram, he knew it was the chance he had been waiting for.  he said.

The audition process delivered lessons. “I’m going to actually take the fact that I built the courage to come here, and I did something,  it shows that okay, there’s more that I can do.” Beyond the stage, he also found connections with other artists whose sounds align. “We shared our social media handles, and we’re hoping to make something out of the connection.”

For Hope Kesemen, better known as Specta, the Lagos auditions were about pushing her creativity. A singer-songwriter who also doubles as a lawyer and business owner, she has always found ways to bring humor into music. “When I was in secondary school, I would always just remix songs, make popular songs funny, songs about garri and stuff like that.”

But her path hasn’t been simple. “I come from a family where my father is a pastor,” she explained. “Breaking out of that to explore my creativity has been a challenge. My mother was never cool with it. But I got a little bit of support from my dad, and that little support helped me a lot.”

Then there was Praise Okafor, AKA Rohila, an 18-year-old model and singer who came looking for more than just the prize. Though not her first audition, she said the NAS platform felt bigger and more validating. “The exposure, the cameras, everything makes me feel like this is where I belong,” she said. “Regardless of what happens, my takeaway is to be myself and do what I love.” For her, music is a family affair. “We all sing, like my mom sings. We are living this for her dream, but also for ourselves.”

The Lagos leg of Next Afrobeats Star (NAS) lit up Ultima Studios from September 5 to 8, pulling in hundreds of young talents eager to prove they belong on the Afrobeats stage. For many, it wasn’t just about chasing a $100,000 music deal with ONErpm, it was about testing themselves and finding their place in Nigeria’s most dynamic music scene.

By the close of auditions, it was clear why NAS matters. The talent is abundant, but platforms like this give young voices the visibility, mentorship, and access they need to break through. Next stop: Abuja on September 13 and 14, then Port Harcourt on September 20 and 21.