Professor Francis Okoye Okafor

Professor Okafor is the Founder of Ugonmuta Foundation for Educational Development and the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Foundation.

He obtained the B.Sc (Hons) degree (Second Class Upper) in Business Administration from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus in 1967 just before the outbreak of the Nigerian civil war.

Following the end of the Nigerian civil war, he proceeded, on scholarship, to the Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago, USA where he obtained the MBA in Finance and International Business in 1973.

Prof. Okafor joined the academic staff of the University of Nigeria as an Assistant Lecturer in 1970. He was promoted to Lecturer 11 in 1974, Senior Lecturer in 1976 and elevated to the rank of Professor of Finance on October 1, 1984.

He served the University of Nigeria in various academic positions namely Head of Department (6 years); Associate Dean of Faculty (3 years), Dean of Faculty (4 years). In 1998 he was appointed the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus and served in the position for 4 ½ years (1998-2003).

Professor Okafor has served, on part-time bases, on a number of Federal Government Boards, Agencies and Study Groups including Chairman, Study Group on Socio-Economic Problems of Privatization and Commercialization (1990-1991), Member Study Group on Monetization of Fringe Benefits in Nigeria (1992), Member, Governing Board, National Board for Community Banks (2003-2006).

Similarly, he served the Old Anambra State Government as Member, Anambra State Finance and Revenue Commission (1984-1985), Director, defunct Central Investment Company Ltd (1986),  Chairman, Board of Directors, defunct Anambra State Government owned Ikenga Hotels Ltd (1987-1988) and Member, Board of Directors, Anambra State A11 State Finance and Investment Company Ltd (1994-1988).

Professor Okafor also served as a part time Consultant to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, on the establishment of Sub-regional Graduate Schools of Business in Africa (1978-1979).

Professor Okafor is immensely committed to the upliftment and development of his community. He has variously served as Chairman, Finance Committee of Ekwulobia Peoples Assembly (1986-1988) President, Ekwulobia Peoples Assembly (1988-1991) and Chairman, Ekwulobia Microfinance Bank ltd (from inception to date). He is a member of Igwe’s Cabinet, Ekwulobia, and the Ichie Umeadi of his Okpo Community, Ekwulobia.