Julius Okojie, OON, born on July 27, 1948, is a distinguished Nigerian educational administrator and a professor of Forest Resources Management. His extensive career in academia and administration has significantly shaped Nigeria’s higher education landscape. Okojie served as the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) from 2006 to 2016, where he played a critical role in advancing the quality of higher education across the country.

Okojie’s academic journey began in Edo State, where he completed his primary and secondary education. He attended Government Primary School, Uromi, and Annunciation Catholic College, Irrua, followed by Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State. His passion for forestry led him to the University of Ibadan, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry in 1972. He furthered his education in the United States, obtaining a master’s degree in forestry from Yale University and later a Ph.D. in Forestry Resource Management from the University of Ibadan in 1981.

Okojie started his career as a Research Officer at the Forestry Research Institute in Ibadan before transitioning to the University of Ibadan as a lecturer in 1978. His expertise earned him a professorship in Forestry Resource Management in 1990. He served as the Dean of the College of Environmental Resources Management at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, from 1990 to 1994. Okojie was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, from 1996 to 2001, and later became the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Bells University of Technology, Ota, in 2005. His leadership was further recognized when he was appointed Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities in 2001.

In 2002, Okojie joined the National Universities Commission as a Visiting Professor and chaired the Standing Committee on Private Universities (SCOPU). His leadership at NUC was marked by significant reforms and initiatives aimed at improving Nigeria’s higher education system. After serving two terms as Executive Secretary of the NUC, Okojie retired from active service, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and dedication.

In recognition of his contributions to education and forestry, Julius Okojie has been honored with several awards, including the National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). He is married to Erelu Oluremi Okojie, and together, they have been instrumental in contributing to the development of education in Nigeria.