Prof. Chukwuneke Jeremiah Inducted as NIWE Fellow, Reaffirms Mentorship Mandate

By Genesis Ogiri | Abuja

Abuja, Nigeria – July 24, 2025 — In a remarkable celebration of professional excellence and commitment to national development, Prof. Chukwuneke Jeremiah Lekwuwa, a distinguished mechanical engineering scholar and Head of Department at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has been conferred with the Fellowship of the Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE).

The prestigious investiture, held in Abuja, brought together a diverse assembly of engineers, academics, public officials, and thought leaders across Nigeria’s water and environmental sectors to honour outstanding contributors to engineering practice.

Prof. Chukwuneke received the Fellowship award in recognition of his robust academic contributions, impactful research, and unwavering commitment to engineering development in Nigeria. He described the recognition as both humbling and motivating.

“This honour reinforces my responsibility to train and mentor emerging engineers who will shape tomorrow’s infrastructure and environmental systems,” he said in a media chat shortly after the event.

 “We must build a culture that values discipline, innovation, and public service. I dedicate this award to the memory of my late father, whose principles of hard work and integrity laid the foundation for my life and calling.”

Prof. Chukwuneke Jeremiah Lekwuwa holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, with specializations in Thermal Power Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. He currently serves as the Head of Department, Mechanical Engineering at UNIZIK, where he leads cutting-edge research and curriculum reforms aimed at solving Nigeria’s real-world engineering challenges.

His scholarly focus includes Renewable and Alternative Energy Resources, Material Technology, Computational Analyses of Dynamical Energy Systems, Bioengineering, Manufacturing, and Biocompatibility. He has authored several books, chapters, and research articles in reputable journals, contributing significantly to engineering literature and sustainable innovation.

A COREN-registered engineer, Prof. Chukwuneke is also an active member of key international professional bodies, including the International Association of Engineers (IAENG), the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), and the International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS).

Beyond his academic achievements, he is widely respected as a trainer of quality, a strategic thinker, and a smart administrator, committed to raising the next generation of ethical, globally competitive engineers.

During his remarks, Prof. Chukwuneke called on professional colleagues across the engineering landscape to uphold ethical standards and prioritise national interest in all practices.

 “In a time when public trust must be earned daily, we cannot afford mediocrity. Engineering must always be driven by truth, accountability, and the public good,” he said.

He further emphasized his department’s current initiative aimed at addressing flood-related challenges in Awka and surrounding communities, noting that water engineering solutions are pivotal to climate adaptation and urban resilience.

 “We are committed to engaging government and the private sector with viable models to mitigate flooding, drawing from applied research and international best practices,” he affirmed

Also inaugurated at the event was Engr. Charity Ojobo, who formally assumed office as the new President of the Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE). Her emergence is seen as a progressive shift, promising innovation, gender inclusion, and responsive leadership in Nigeria’s water engineering sector.

The conferment of the NIWE Fellowship on Prof. Chukwuneke Jeremiah Lekwuwa not only marks a personal milestone in his illustrious academic and professional journey but also underscores the increasing importance of ethical leadership and research-driven solutions in Nigeria’s engineering sector.

From championing sustainable energy research to mentoring future engineers and spearheading flood mitigation efforts in Awka, Prof. Chukwuneke stands as a model of excellence, vision, and public-spirited innovation.

As the nation navigates critical infrastructural and environmental challenges, his recognition by the Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers reinforces the role of academia and engineering practice in shaping a resilient, knowledge-driven future.

With humility, deep expertise, and a strong moral compass, Prof. Chukwuneke continues to light the path for a new generation—where professionalism is not just a title, but a lifelong commitment to serve humanity.