Professor Stella Chinyere Okunna: A Mother And Mentor.
By Nwagbo Chinaza Eucharia
Awka, 2nd March, 2025.
The induction ceremony of the department of Mass Communication for the year 2025 was indeed memorable because it was graced by a great woman by the name Professor Stella Chinyere Okunna.
Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna is a distinguished Nigerian academic renowned for her pioneering contributions to mass communication. She holds the notable distinction of being the first female professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Born into the Adimora family in Uga, Anambra State, Nigeria, Professor Okunna embarked on her educational journey at St. John’s Primary School in Ekwulobia. She pursued higher education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. She furthered her studies with a Master of Arts from the University of Leicester, England, and later obtained a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos.
Professor Okunna began her teaching career in 1981 at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu. In 1994, she joined the Department of Mass Communication at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Her dedication and expertise led to her promotion as the first female professor in the department in 2001. She also served as the Head of the Department of Mass Communication from 1998 to 2006 and was the first female Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the same university from 2016 to 2019.
Beyond academia, Professor Okunna has made significant contributions to public service.Her roles included Commissioner for Information and Culture, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, and Chief of Staff.
In 2022, Professor Okunna was appointed as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Paul University, Awka, continuing her commitment to advancing higher education in Nigeria.
Her research primarily focuses on the role of media in societal development and women’s empowerment.
Through her extensive career in academia and public service, Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna has significantly influenced mass communication practices and policies in Nigeria, inspiring many in the field.
During her speech at the event, she encouraged the ladies to be weary of deceit by the opposite gender but rather work hard on building themselves in both character and learning.
It was no surprise therefore that she was presented with an Award of Honor as the Matron of ASOMACS. Afterall, who better deserves it?
