Tessy Okoli

Theresa Obumneme Okoli is the 4th substantive provost of Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze. On 17 May 2018, she was appointed by the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari a Substantive provost of the college.

Early life and education
Okoli was born to the Aniagboso family in the village of Okpuifite, Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State. She began her education at St. Augustine's Primary School, Ogun State. From 1971–1984, she continued at Girls Secondary School, Awgbu, Anambra State, where she obtained the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE). Okoli attended Anambra State College of Education (now, Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Anambra State), where she graduated from the Department of Agric Education in 1988. In 1990, Okoli obtained her B.S. degree in Agric Education from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She obtained her Master's degree from the same university in 1995. In 2011, Okoli received a doctoral degree from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

Career
On March 3, 1992, Okoli started her career with the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze as an assistant lecturer in the department of Agricultural Education. She became a principal lecturer in 2007 and a chief lecturer in 2011. Okoli served in a number of roles: Dean, School of Agriculture and Home Economics Education; Dean, Students Affairs; Coordinator, Sandwich Programme; Coordinator, Continuing Education Programme (CEP); and Head of Department, Agricultural Education. Okoli is a member of many professional associations, including the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN), Nigeria Association of Teacher of Technology (NATT), Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Women in Colleges of Education (WICE) and Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). She is the National Secretary of Association of Women in Colleges of Education (WICE). She is also the Chairman of the Forum for African Women Educationalist of Nigeria (FAWEN), FCET Umunze Chapter.

Appointment as provost
On May 17, 2018, Muhammadu Buhari, then President of Nigeria, appointed Okoli as the fourth substantive Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze. Okoli replaced the college's acting provost, Dr. Cicilia Nonye Ibekwe, becoming the first staff member to hold the position of provost at the college.

Awards and honours
In 2019, Okoli was honored with a distinguished labour-friendly award by Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, (COEASU) and distinguished alumni award by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She was conferred with a chieftaincy title, Mma Chinyereugo of Orumba (Jewel from God) by the Orumba Traditional Rulers Council, Anambra State.