The organisers of the Anambra Man of the Year (AMTY) Awards have nominated Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna for the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to journalism, academia, media development and public service.

Chair of the AMTY 5th Edition Planning Committee, Prof. Adaoma Igwedibia, said the nomination reflects Prof. Okunna’s decades of impactful service in communication scholarship, journalism education, governance and mentorship.

According to Igwedibia, Prof. Okunna embodies excellence, leadership and dedication, noting that her achievements in academia, journalism and nation-building make her a worthy recipient of the honour.

Prof. Okunna, Nigeria’s first female professor of Mass Communication and the first in Sub-Saharan Africa, currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) at Paul University, Awka.

During her distinguished academic career, she held several key positions at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), including Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Head of the Department of Mass Communication and Director of UNIZIK 94.1 FM.

Beyond academia, she served in the administration of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, holding positions such as Commissioner for Information and Culture, Chief of Staff, and Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget.

Widely respected in academic and professional circles, Prof. Okunna has made significant contributions to media development, ethical journalism and communication studies in Nigeria. Her AMTY nomination adds to a growing list of honours recognising her enduring impact on academia, public service and the media industry.