BDS (Ib), FWACS, FWFO, FICOI, MSIL, MICS, D.Sc (Honoris Causa), FIMC, CMC, FIRSM, FAAN, FNAMed, Ambassador of the Kingdom
Chukwudi Ochi Onyeaso is from Ngodo Isuochi in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State. He had his primary, secondary and tertiary education at Ngodo Primary School, Methodist College, Uzuakoli in Abia State and University of Ibadan, respectively. He had his postgraduate training at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos. After obtaining the Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons in 1999, he was employed as Lecturer I / Consultant Orthodontist by the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and the University College Hospital, Ibadan in December 2000, making him the first Consultant Orthodontist at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Following a 6-month staff development award he received from the MacArthur Foundation, he proceeded to the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), USA, in 2004 for his post-fellowship exposure. He served as the Sub-Dean (Undergraduate) in the Faculty of Dentistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan from 2004 to 2006. He got his professorial chair and became the pioneer Professor of Orthodontics at the College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, as well as Consultant Orthodontist at the Dental Centre, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria, since January 14, 2008. He became a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (FICOI) by examination in 2004 and a Fellow of the World Federation of Orthodontists (FWFO) in 2005. Professor C O Onyeaso was conferred with the Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) in 2019 by the Division for Certification and Accreditation of the International Agency for Standards and Ratings (IASR) for his outstanding contributions to the society. In 2023, he was admitted as a Fellow of the merit-based Nigerian Academy of Medicine. Among others, Professor Onyeaso belongs to the following professional bodies: Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS), honorary member, the Research Board of Advisors of the American Biographical Institute, Court of Examiners of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, West African College of Surgeons, Nigerian Association of Orthodontists (NAO), Fellow, Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC) and a Chartered Management Consultant (CMC), Fellow, Institute of Resources and Scientific Management (FIRSM), and Fellow, African Academics Network (FAAN). He was a two-term Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences of University of Port Harcourt from 2013 to 2017, as well as the Honorary Director of Clinical Dental Services for the same period at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). He has served the University system in many committees including Investigative Panels involved in the resolution of students’ crises at the University of Port Harcourt. He headed the University of Port Harcourt Senate Committee on Academic Prizes from 2011 till 2022. In addition to the undergraduate students, Professor Onyeaso trains postgraduate doctors both for the West African College of Surgeons and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. As an expert in his field, he examines at the various dental schools in Nigeria. Professor Onyeaso was the elected Representative of University of Port Harcourt Senate at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) Board for two consecutive terms (2009-2011). He was also elected by the Senate of the University of Port Harcourt to represent her in the Joint Council / Senate Selection Board for the appointment of the 8th Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt in 2015. He was a resource person at the first Health Summit in Nigeria at Asaba, Delta State in 2014. He is a regular resource person to the National Universities Commission (NUC) either as a Chairman or member of several committees in the formulation of basic minimum academic standards (BMAS) for programmes in Nigerian Universities and accreditation of academic programmes in Nigerian Universities. He has served twice as a Board member of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the West African College of Surgeons and is still an examiner of the West African College of Surgeons Examinations both at the Part I (Membership) and Part II (Fellowship) levels. Professor Onyeaso is the Chairman of the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), UPTH Branch. Much earlier in his academic life, he was recognized by the Federal School of Arts and Science, Aba, Abia State as the Best Behaved Student, as well as the Best Biology Student at Advanced level. At the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, he was the first lecturer to be honoured by the Unibadan Association of Dental Students (UADS) as the Best Lecturer in 2001/2002 academic session. He received a global recognition for his contributions to sports development through Dentistry in 2003 (www.SportsDDS.com/Nigeria). The Journal of National Medical Association (JNMA), Washington, USA honoured him in 2003 for his immense contributions to the growth of the journal. Professor C O Onyeaso was invited to serve as the Editor-in-Charge of all the English manuscripts submitted to the bilingual scientific journal based in France - Odonto-Stomatologie Tropicale (Tropical Dental Journal), which did from 2004 till 2019. In 2005, he received letters of commendation from the Provost and Vice Chancellor of the College of Medicine and University of Ibadan, respectively for excellent performances of special assignments. In 2007, he was again recognized by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan as one of the scholars that brought glory to the University through his scientific publications. Professor Onyeaso holds a GOLD Medal for Nigeria by the American BiographicaI Institute, USA, in recognition of his contributions to knowledge globally. He has over 123 scientific publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals across the globe, and sits on Boards of several medical and dental journals worldwide. He is the only Orthodontist from West Africa on the Review Board of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJODO) since 2004, the highly rated professional international journal in his specialty. Many of his publications have received international recognitions with several official requests for documentation of some by institutions outside Nigeria such as the British Library. He has also been honoured as a member of the Index Copernicus Scientists (MICS) and the membership of the Society of Industry Leaders (MSIL). Chukwudi Ochi Onyeaso is widely travelled and has presented papers at different conferences locally and internationally. According to AD Scientific Index 2023 Ranking, Chukwudi Onyeaso is the highest ranked Scientist in the College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, he is among the Top 2% Scientists in Nigeria and among the Top 20% Scientists in the world based on the total h-index and total i10-index. In 2015, Professor Onyeaso was recognized by the West Africa Students Leaders Forum (WASLF) for his contributions to Education. Professor Onyeaso is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Nigerian Dental Deans (ANDD). In March 2019, Professor C O Onyeaso was honoured by the Assemblies of God Nigeria as an Ambassador of the Kingdom. Professor Chukwudi O. Onyeaso is happily married with children to Dr. (Mrs.) Adedamola Olutoyin Onyeaso, who was the 2018 Winner of the World Championship in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR Skills), of the Department of Health Promotion, Environmental and Safety Education (formerly of the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education), Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt. As an Ambassador of Jesus Christ, Professor Onyeaso strives with the power of the Holy Ghost to please the Lord Jesus Christ in everything he does and in every position of service while waiting for His appearing.