Prof. Anthony Okorie Ani is the current Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial constituency, Nigeria. He was born on June 24, 1966, to the family of Augustine Ani Nwakuma of Ugwu Odida Onicha, Onicha Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.

Education

Prof. Ani began his educational journey at Onicha Central School Egunkwo Onicha, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1978. He proceeded to Government Secondary School Owutu Edda, earning his General Certificate Examination/West African School Certificate (GCE/WAEC) in 1983.

Driven by a passion for academics, he enrolled at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Agriculture in 1989. He furthered his studies at the same university, obtaining a Master of Science (M.Sc) in Agricultural Extension Administration in 1992. Determined to achieve academic excellence, he pursued a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology at the University of Maiduguri, completing the program in 2002.

Academic and Professional Career

Prof. Ani commenced his academic career as an Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, University of Maiduguri, in 1994. He rose through the ranks, becoming a Professor on October 1, 2006. In 2013, he transitioned to the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, where he served as a Professor in the Department of Agricultural Extension before winning the Senatorial election in 2024 to represent Ebonyi South Senatorial constituency.

Academic and Administrative Contributions

Prof. Ani has held numerous academic and administrative positions, including:

  • Secretary, Committee on Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture, University of Maiduguri (1997–1998)
  • Faculty Coordinator, Division of General Studies, University of Maiduguri (2000–2012)
  • Staff Adviser, South East Law Students Association (SELSA), University of Maiduguri (2002–2013)
  • Reviewer, Journal of Arid Agriculture (2002–present)
  • Chairman, Faculty of Agriculture Occasional Publication Committee, University of Maiduguri (2004–2013)
  • External Examiner, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2008–present)
  • Member, Ebonyi State University Governing Council (2008–2016); later Chairman and Pro-Chancellor
  • Head, Department of Agricultural Extension, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (2014–2017)
  • Team Leader, NUC Accreditation Panels for multiple universities (2017–present)
  • Director, NEEDS Assessment Office, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (2021–present)

Community Engagement and Professional Involvement

Beyond academia, Prof. Ani has served in various community and professional roles, including:

  • Patron, Ugwu Student Association, Onicha, Ebonyi State (1994–present)
  • Member, Evangel Model Schools Management Committee, Maiduguri (1996–2000)
  • Staff Adviser, Ebonyi State Student Association, University of Maiduguri (1999–2013)
  • General Secretary, National Evangelical Mission, Maiduguri (2000–2013)
  • Collaborator, Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) – IITA Project on Sustainable Agriculture (2004–present)
  • National Vice-President, Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria (AESON) (2018–present)
  • Chairman, Parents Forum, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI) (2018–present)

Publications and Research

Prof. Ani is a prolific researcher with GoogleScholar link (‪Professor Anthony Okorie Ani‬ – ‪Google Scholar‬):

He has published over 110 journal articles and more than 26 conference papers, with over 15 unpublished articles and 3 under review.

He has written four textbooks, two of which are widely used internationally.

He has eight honorary awards in recognition of his academic contributions

Consultancy and Family Life

As a widely respected expert in Agricultural Extension, methodologies, and educational development, Prof. Ani is frequently consulted on issues related to these fields. He is happily married and blessed with children. Prof. Anthony Okorie Ani continues to make significant contributions to academia, research, and community development as a Senator, shaping the future of agricultural education in Nigeria and beyond.