By Nkiru Anakor
The UNIZIK Business School (UBS), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has called for greater investment in innovation, local enterprise development and stronger partnerships among universities, government and the private sector to accelerate Africa’s economic transformation.
The call was made during the School’s 8th International Hybrid Conference, held on Oct. 21, at the ASUU Secretariat Auditorium, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
The conference, themed “Repositioning Africa’s Business Ecosystem for Sustainable Economic Transformation,” brought together academics, industry leaders, policymakers and other stakeholders to explore practical strategies for strengthening African businesses, promoting innovation and achieving sustainable economic growth.
Representing the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Alex Asigbo, underscored the importance of universities in driving research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
He noted that higher institutions must bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry needs by conducting research that addresses societal challenges and provides practical solutions.
Prof. Anyaehie stressed the need for stronger collaboration among universities, government and the private sector to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
He maintained that sustainable economic transformation would require deliberate efforts to strengthen local enterprises, encourage innovation and harness Africa’s human and material resources for long term development.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, a former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development and Chairman of Masters Energy Group of Companies, challenged African leaders and business stakeholders to move beyond discussing the continent’s economic potential and focus on translating it into productivity, prosperity and sustainability.
Ogah identified fragmented intra African trade, the export of raw materials without adequate local processing and limited opportunities for young people as major obstacles to economic growth.
He advocated greater local processing of raw materials to strengthen value chains, create employment and ensure that more economic benefits remain within the continent.
He called for policy consistency, an improved business environment and increased investment in the digital and green economies.
The former minister urged universities to expand their roles beyond awarding degrees by becoming centres of innovation, entrepreneurship and enterprise development, where ideas can be transformed into viable businesses and practical solutions.
Earlier, the Director of UNIZIK Business School, Prof. Pius V. C. Okoye, highlighted the institution’s growth and commitment to developing practical solutions to contemporary business challenges.
He disclosed that the School, which began operations in 2018 with fewer than 40 MBA students, now has more than 200 students enrolled in its various postgraduate and professional programmes.
Prof. Okoye revealed that UBS had successfully hosted seven international conferences, generating more than 450 peer-reviewed papers.
He explained that the School was strengthening its engagement with industry through partnerships designed to expose students to real world business challenges and encourage innovative solutions, particularly to issues affecting enterprises in the South-East.
The Director urged participants to make meaningful contributions to the discussions and develop actionable recommendations capable of informing government policies and advancing business development across Africa.
The conference reinforced the importance of collaboration between academia, government and industry in building a resilient African business ecosystem, expanding economic opportunities and promoting sustainable development across the continent.
Nkiru Anakor is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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