Principals

Founding Principal

A Holy Ghost Father sent from Christ the King College, Onitsha, to found the college as a teacher training college in 1948. He led it through its conversion into a secondary school in 1952.

BUTLER, Fr William T  (1917-2006)

Fr William Butler (Billy) was born in Wicklow town on 22 July 1917.  After completing his secondary school studies in Blackrock College he entered the Spiritan novitiate in Kilshane in 1935 and was professed on the 5 September 1936.  After studying philosophy at Kimmage Manor he prefected for two years in Blackrock College from 1939 to 1941.  He then earned a B.A. degree and Higher Diploma in Education.  Billy studied theology in Kimmage Manor and was ordained to the priesthood on the 16 July 1944 and made his Consecration to the Apostolate on the 3 September 1945.
Billy’s first appointment was to Nigeria where between the years 1945 and 1968 he was employed as a teacher in C.K.C. College, Onitsha, St Teresa’s College, Nsukka and Kalabari National College, Buguma.  Between 1968 and 1970 Billy was involved in the efforts to provide relief to the people of Biafra.  From 1971 to 1975 he worked in Papua New Guinea and Australia as a teacher and priest.
He returned to Ireland in 1976 and taught for one year in Willow Park School.  In 1977 he went back to Ghana where he became involved in parish ministry and remained there until 1992.   It is not often that a priest has a statue erected in his honour in his own life time, Billy had two.  The first at St Teresa’s College  at Nsukka during their silver jubilee anniversary and the second at Bantama in Kumasi in Ghana, a parish where he had built a mission house, school and church.
Billy transferred to the diocese of St Augustine, U.S.A. where he worked as both a priest and chaplain until he returned to Ireland in 2000.   Due to failing health Fr Billy was admitted to Marian House, Kimmage Manor, in 2001 where he died on 14 September 2006. - (Irish Spiritans Remembered, Nov. 2 2026)

McMAHON, Fr Francis (1916 -1993)

Fr Francis McMahon (Frank) was born 3 March 1916 in Feacle, Co Clare and received his secondary education at Blackrock College, 1930-35. Having entered the Congregation at Kilshane he was professed in 1936. He acquired the BA in 1939 and then prefected at Blackrock for one year. 

Ordained in 1944 he was assigned the following year to Nigeria. He served at Emekuku as assistant in a parish with more than 40,000 Catholics and catechumens (1945-52). He was automatic choice for captain of the famous rugby team composed of CSSp priests including at times the Bishop Joe Whelan, who took on the British army and other European ‘clubs.’ Frank was the founding pastor of Amakohia in the Diocese of Owerri where he ministered until 1962. He then became Principal of Amaimo High School, which he built. Between 1962 and 196, he worked at St Teresa’s College, Nsukka as the Principal.
In 1964 he built and became Principal of the Irodo High School. Because of the Biafra War he was obliged to leave his work in Nigeria. Transferred to the USA he served in parish ministry in Florida and in the New Orleans area. From 1985 he served as chaplain in a retirement home. 

He was a gentle and simple priest, who cared nothing about material goods but was much interested in people. He was referred to as ‘the big man with the gentle voice’. Fr Frank died in New York 5 August 1993 aged 77 years and was buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery outside New York.

Irish Spiritans Remembered - November 2, 2026.

Rev. Fr. Dr. Johnmartins Chikani: The Principal Who Restored the Glory of St Teresa’s College

(Longest-serving principal)

Fr Johnmartins was born on 11th November, 1936 in Owerre Eze Orba in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. 

The appointment of Rev. Fr. Dr. Johnmartins Chukwuemeka Chikani as Principal of St Teresa’s College in 1991 marked a turning point in the history of the institution. His arrival came as a welcome relief at a time when the college was experiencing significant structural and moral decline. Through charismatic leadership, unwavering faith, discipline, and hard work, he embarked on the arduous task of rebuilding the college, both in its physical infrastructure and institutional values.

Although the challenges were enormous, Fr. Chikani, popularly known as Fr. Johnmartins (Okoman), confronted them with remarkable courage and determination. He stood firm against the odds, upheld high standards of discipline, and instilled a culture of hard work among students and staff, placing his trust in Almighty God throughout his administration. His commitment and purposeful leadership gradually restored the college to its former glory.

Under his stewardship, St Teresa’s College regained its reputation and distinguished itself among secondary schools, not only within its immediate educational zone but also across the Eastern states of Nigeria. The institution once again became widely recognised for its discipline, sporting achievements, and academic excellence. His administration laid a foundation whose impact would be felt by generations of students who passed through the college.

His Legacy Beyond 1991

In September 2006, following the Federal Government's introduction of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) policy, the college was reorganised into separate Junior and Senior Secondary sections. This development necessitated the appointment of Rev. Fr. Igwebueze John C. as Principal of the Junior Secondary section(2006 -2009).

Fr Chikani was redeployed to St Patrick's College, Obollo-Eke, where he equally demonstrated his commitment to educational transformation and institutional development.

It is particularly important to acknowledge the enduring legacy of those who received their formative education under the leadership and tutelage of Fr. Johnmartins. Today, his former students are scattered across the world, making remarkable contributions and distinguishing themselves in their various professions and fields of endeavour. Their accomplishments stand as a testament to the enduring value of the discipline, character formation, and academic standards he championed.

Admittedly, his uncompromising principles and insistence on discipline did not always make him popular with everyone, particularly those who found his methods demanding. However, he earned the respect and affection of many whose lives he shaped. For numerous former students, the true value of his stern but purposeful guidance became even more evident years after leaving the college, when they began to appreciate the lessons his administration had instilled in them.

Fr. Johnmartins (Okoman) passed away on 12 August 2025 and was laid to rest on 9 September 2025. Though he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in the institution he helped rebuild and in the countless lives he influenced.

His story remains an important chapter in the history of St Teresa’s College Nsukka: a reminder that visionary leadership, courage, faith, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence can transform an institution and shape generations.

To learn more about his life, contributions, and enduring legacy, kindly visit his tribute page:

Read the Tribute to Rev. Fr. Dr. John Martin Chikani (Okoman)

Fr Igwebuezee was born in 1956. He was ordained a priest in the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka.

Following the splitting of secondary schools int o Junior and  senior, he was appointed as the Principal of the Junior secondary students of the college in 2006. While Fr JM Chikani was handling the seniors.

 In 2009 the mission schools were returned to Church and former status of the secondary school education was restored. He became principal of the whole college in 2009 when Fr JM Chikani was transferred to St Patrick's Obollo Eke.

Fr  Igwebueze, took of the school till 2014 when handed over to Fr Ezikanyi M.

Fr Igwebueze  was called to glory in 2025 and was laid to rest on 21st November, 2025.