Prof. Chukwudi Ochi Onyeaso

Professor Chukwudi Ochi Onyeaso, the current Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Port Harcourt, received his early education at Ngodo Primary School and Methodist College, Uzuakoli, before studying Dentistry at the University of Ibadan. His postgraduate training was at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). In 1999, he obtained the Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons, becoming a Consultant Orthodontist and Lecturer I at the University of Ibadan and UCH—the first Consultant Orthodontist in that institution.

In 2004, through a MacArthur Foundation award, he undertook post-fellowship training at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He also served as Sub-Dean (Undergraduate) in the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ibadan (2004–2006). On January 14, 2008, he became the pioneer Professor of Orthodontics at the University of Port Harcourt and Consultant Orthodontist at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).

Professor Onyeaso holds several prestigious fellowships: Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (FICOI, 2004), World Federation of Orthodontists (FWFO, 2005), International College of Dentists (FICD), Nigerian Academy of Medicine (2023), and others. In 2019, he was awarded Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by the International Agency for Standards and Ratings for his outstanding contributions.

He has held key administrative positions, including two-term Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Port Harcourt (2013–2017), Honorary Director of Clinical Dental Services at UPTH, and Senate representative to the UPTH Board. He chaired the Senate Committee on Academic Prizes (2011–2025) and has been a resource person for the National Universities Commission (NUC), contributing to curriculum development, accreditation, and BMAS formulation for Nigerian universities.

Internationally recognized, he examines for the West African College of Surgeons at both Membership and Fellowship levels, and served on its Faculty of Dental Surgery Board. He has also trained postgraduate doctors for national and regional medical colleges.

Professor Onyeaso is a globally acclaimed orthodontist, with over 132 scientific publications in reputable journals worldwide. He has served on editorial boards, including as Editor-in-Charge of English manuscripts for Odonto-Stomatologie Tropicale (2004–2019). Since 2004, he has been the only Sub-Saharan African orthodontist on the Review Board of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJODO). His research has earned international recognition, including documentation requests from the British Library, and he ranks among the Top 2% Scientists in Nigeria and Top 20% globally according to the AD Scientific Index (2023).

His contributions have earned him multiple awards: a Gold Medal from the American Biographical Institute, commendations from the University of Ibadan, recognition from the Journal of National Medical Association (USA), and honours from WASLF (2015) and Assemblies of God Nigeria (2019). Earlier in his academic career, he was honoured as Best Lecturer by dental students at Ibadan and recognized for sports dentistry contributions.

Beyond academia, Professor Onyeaso has served in numerous professional bodies, including the Nigerian Medical Association, Nigerian Dental Association, Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, and Nigerian Association of Orthodontists. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC/CMC) and other professional networks.

Widely travelled and an active conference participant, Professor Onyeaso is also deeply committed to mentoring, teaching, and advancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria. He is happily married to Professor (Mrs.) Adedamola Olutoyin Onyeaso of the Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt, and they are blessed with children.