Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle an astute Scholar, Teacher and Administrator before his appointment as the sixth substantive Executive Secretary of National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Abuja by the Federal Government on 20th April, 2020 was a lecturer with Department of Industrial Technology Education, Rivers State University, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. He was born on the 26 March, 1964 to the family of Okwelle in Ogbakiri-Ikwerre, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Young Paulinus spent the greater part of his childhood in Woke's Compound, rumuoroOgbakiri, in a Christian Community. This explains why he is thoroughly grounded in the customs and traditions of his people, which he venerates in later years in some of his literary works. He completed his Primary and Secondary Education in Rivers State and his Higher Educational pursuit was ignited at Rivers State University of Science and Technology where he graduated with 2nd Class Upper Division in 1987, Master Degree in Education 1995 and Ph.D, in Technical Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, 2011. He was certified as professional teacher by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) in 2011. He served the country during his NYSC at Bakolori Dam, Sokoto - Rima Basin Development Authority, in the then Sokoto State, 1987 - 1988. Prof. Okwelle, has professionally impacted developmental knowledge at different capacities across the length and breadth of Nigeria in reputable institutions of learning and had to his credit over 100 Academic Journals and Articles published locally and internationally, some of which appeared in books chapters. He has also supervised many Masters and Ph.D theses and as well served as external examiner in a number of institutions. He is an active member of the several professional bodies. As a result of his track record of selfless service to his dear country, the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari found him worthy and appointed him as the 6th substantive Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education on 16th April, 2021 and assumed office on 20th April, 2021.

The Commission continues to encourage Colleges of Education to clear the backlogs of unissued NCE Certificates. In the period under review, the Commission vetted and approved final year results from various NCE awarding institutions.