Malachy Ikechukwu Okwueze

Malachy Ikechukwu Okwueze (May 30, 1962) is a Nigerian Professor of Religion and Ethics, in the Department of Religion and Cultural Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He was the first Vice Chancellor of the Coal City University between 2016 and 2020,

Early life and education
Okwueze was born on May 30, 1962, in Nsukka. He attended both his Primary and Post-Primary School Education at Anglican Grammar School, currently referred to Nsukka High School, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria.

After passing his West African School Certificate Examination in Division One, Okwueze then proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he obtained a First Class Honours bachelor's degree in Religion and was also the Best Graduating Student of the University of Nigeria, in 1987. Okwueze went further to obtain his master's degree in 1989, and later earned PhD Degree in Religion in 1995, all from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka respectively. He also obtained LL.B Degree in Law from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC) and was the Best Graduating Student in Commercial Law in 1992. Okwueze was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1996 at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos. He graduated as the Second Best overall Graduating Student of the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1996.

Career
Okwueze is the director of legal service, Society for Research and Academic Excellence, University of Nigeria, Nsukka He was the first Vice Chancellor of Coal City University between 2016 and 2020, and the former Deputy Chief of Staff to the Enugu State Government under the administration of former Governor Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.  Okwueze has also served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), University of Nigeria Nsukka, from 2012 to 2014; Dean, Student Affair, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Head, Department of Religion and Cultural Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Nsukka Branch. He is a member of Editorial board of Nsukka Journal of Religion and Cultural Studies (NJRCS). Okwueze also served as a member of one of the 12 Sectoral Ad Hoc Committees instituted by the Enugu State Government, for reform of public service in the state, under the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. He was succeeded by Professor Afam Icha-Ituma as the Vice Chancellor of Coal City University.

Selected publications

 * 1) Okwueze, M.I.& Ononogbu, D.C. (2003).The Church and Entrepreneurship–Hope for the Youth in Nigeria
 * 2) Okwueze, M.I. (2003). Ethics Religion and Society: Biblical, Traditional and Contemporary Perspectives
 * 3) Okwueze, M.I. (2019). Religion, culture and secularism: Beyond the Western paradigm
 * 4) Okwueze, M.I. (2004). Religion and societal development: Contemporary Nigerian perspectives