In a bold move aimed at transforming Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) into one of Africa’s top institutions, Osita Chidoka has called for the establishment of a ₦100 billion endowment fund.
Chidoka, the Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership and former Minister of Aviation, made this proposal while delivering the keynote address at the Third Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Lecture.
He stated that this endowment fund would be pivotal in ensuring COOU’s independence from unpredictable government funding, enabling it to foster groundbreaking research, offer scholarships, and maintain world-class infrastructure.
“The university should not just bear the name of a great leader, but it should embody his legacy by becoming a centre of excellence and innovation,” Chidoka said. “The endowment will guarantee the university’s capacity to impact society by addressing key issues like erosion, insecurity, and sustainable development.”
Chidoka’s proposal comes as Nigeria faces significant challenges in higher education, with universities often struggling to meet the demands of the modern world. His vision for COOU is one where the university leads the way in finding innovative solutions to these pressing challenges, particularly in the southeastern region of Nigeria, known as Igboland.
A Call for Excellence in Nigerian Education
Chidoka also addressed the current state of Nigeria’s higher education system, lamenting its inability to match the global standards set by institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). He argued that Nigeria’s universities, despite the wealth of talent in the country, lack the resources, global partnerships, and strategic focus necessary to nurture the next generation of global innovators.
“Although we have numerous universities and an abundance of motivated students, our institutions lack the resources and focus to produce global leaders,” Chidoka said. “We need to embrace meritocratic processes and invest in our universities to make them world-class institutions that can feed into global companies and prestigious institutions.”
Drawing from the success of the IITs, which have produced some of the world’s leading technology executives, including those from Microsoft, Google, and Adobe, Chidoka emphasized the need for Nigeria to adopt what he called the “Elitism of Ability.” This model prioritizes talent and merit over other factors, enabling the development of exceptional engineers, scientists, and innovators.
“We must learn from the IITs,” Chidoka stressed. “Their success is rooted in the meritocratic systems they’ve built, and we need to do the same in Nigeria to nurture talent that will drive our national development.”
Education: A Foundation for Courage and Purpose
Using the example of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the university’s namesake, Chidoka spoke about the importance of education in shaping individuals who are not just knowledgeable, but also courageous and purposeful.
Ojukwu, despite his privileged background, chose to join the military and lead his people during the Nigerian Civil War. Chidoka argued that education should not be seen merely as a ticket to comfort, but as a foundation for tackling societal challenges.
“Education is not just a path to personal comfort,” Chidoka said. “It is a foundation for courage, purpose, and the drive to make a difference. It must instil values and civic responsibility.”
In her welcome address, the acting Vice Chancellor of COOU, Prof. Kate Omenugha, reinforced the university’s commitment to building an institution of excellence. She outlined the vision of the university through its “Three Vs” program: Values, Viability, and Visibility.
Prof. Omenugha emphasized that under her leadership, COOU would focus on promoting values that guide students towards responsible citizenship, ensuring the university’s financial viability through strategic investments, and increasing its visibility both nationally and internationally.
“Our vision for COOU is clear,” Prof. Omenugha said. “We want to produce graduates who not only excel academically but also contribute meaningfully to their communities.”
A Step Toward Change
The memorial lecture, which honored the life and legacy of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, was attended by numerous dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who represented the state governor. Also in attendance were former Minister Labaran Maku, who served as the special guest of honour, and Prof. Greg Nwakoby, former Vice-Chancellor of COOU and chairman of the occasion.
The proposal for a ₦100 billion endowment fund for COOU has sparked excitement among stakeholders, with many seeing it as a potential game-changer for the university’s future.
“This is a critical moment for Nigerian higher education,” said Dr. Ibezim. “We must support this vision to ensure that our universities can lead the way in innovation, research, and development.”
