The proprietor of the proposed Shanahan University is the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha and Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Maduka Okeke the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha and the Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province is the promoter of the proposed University. He was ordained Archbishop of Onitsha in the year 2002. Before his elevation to the episcopal office, Valerian Maduka Okeke was the Rector of Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, the oldest Catholic Seminary in the West African sub-region, where he also served for years as a lecturer in Philosophy and Theology as well as the Dean of Faculty of Theology. Valerian Okeke was educated at Christ the King Faculty, Onitsha; All Hallows’ Seminary, Onitsha; Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu as well as the Pontical Alfonsiana University in Rome. He holds the Bachelor’s degree in philosophy and theology; Master’s and Doctoral degree in moral theology, in addition to Diploma in French from the Institute Catholic; Diploma in German and in Italian from the University of Perugia, Italy. As a lecturer, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Maduka Okeke has developed passion for education which has culminated in the desire to establish a university in Onitsha and this is coupled with the involvement of the Archdiocese in the provision of primary and secondary education for over 60 years in Nigeria.

Cletus Madubugwu Ibeto is a Nigerian businessman from the industrial city of Nnewi. He is head of The Ibeto Group, the largest business enterprise from Nnewi, a city unique for its entrepreneurial spirit.

Sir Ikem Osanakpo hails from Ndoni, River state . He is a graduate of Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, USA, (1980). He holds Masters in Business Administration (MBA), University of Durham (1991). He successfully completed the 6 th Chief Executives Programme (CEP) Lagos Business School (1997). Sir Ikem Osanakpo is the CEO/Managing Director, Kates Associate Industries Ltd (1994-Date); Chairman Governing Council, Mount Olive School, GRA Onitsha (2003-Date); Director, Sapientia Radio Onitsha (2012- Date). He is a fellow, Nigeria Society of Engineers; Life Vice-President: Onitsha Chamber of Commerce and Industries; Senior and Life Member: American Institute of Chemical Engineers; Former Director, Oil & Gas Free Zone Authority , Onne , River State. Sir Ikem Osanakpo is a Knight of St. Mulumba and Papal Knight of St. Gregory the Great. He is happily married with children.

Kate Azuka Omenugha served as a secondary school teacher in Queen of Rosary College, Onitsha briefly in 1988 before moving over to Girls' Secondary School, Awka Etiti where she spent 10yrs and rose to become a Vice Principal before joining the University system as a lecturer in 1998. She was the Head, Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (2006-2012). She was also the Director, UNIZIK 94.1 FM, a community Radio station run by her University. She was made the Commissioner, Ministry of Education (2014-2018), Anambra State and became Commissioner of Basic Education from 2014 to date in the same State. She is the Vice President (South East), Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals, Nigeria (ACSPN).

Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku is an academic and Consultant Chemical Pathologist of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. Ahaneku is the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka ( Monday 26 May 2014 - Wednesday May 2019). He is from Nnarambia Ahiara Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria.

Nicholas Amechi Akwanya, is a Nigerian retired professor, priest, poet and a novelist. He was a former dean of Postgraduate studies of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a former head of department of English and Literary Studies of the institution. He is a fellow of Nigeria Academy of Letters.