Togo: Minister Dodzi KOKOROKO is no longer head of the University of Lomé

Professor Komla Dodzi KOKOROKO is stepping down as President of the University of Lomé after nearly seven years at the helm. He has been replaced at the head of the University by Professor Adama KPODAR, current Director of the National School of Administration (ENA), following a presidential decree. Professor Komla Dodzi KOKOROKO was appointed to the presidency of the UL on 11 May 2016.

During his tenure, the University of Lomé, Togo’s first public university, founded in 1970, has undergone major modernisation programmes, both in terms of infrastructure and the enrichment of its training programmes.

While some of these decisions may seem harsh at first glance, they have brought many positive changes to the University of Lomé.

As Minister of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education and Handicrafts, the President of the Republic, in putting him in charge of the University, inevitably saw in him the man who could restore the reputation of this temple of knowledge.

Admittedly, this decision by the Head of State was criticised by Togolese public opinion at the time, when it was said that he was holding more than one post.

It should be noted that the University of Lomé (UL) is ranked 131st in the Top 200 best African universities, and 3rd among the best French-speaking universities, according to the 2023 ranking of African University Ranking (UniRank), an institution based in South Africa that evaluates the performance of African universities.

It is to be hoped that his successor will be able to continue the work already under way, to return the University of Lomé to the ranks of Africa’s most sought-after universities.

Kodjovi Makafui