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From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
The Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Prof. Bond Anyaehie, has called on universities and other tertiary institutions in the South East to strengthen collaboration and embrace regional integration, to accelerate economic growth and sustainable development in the region.
Anyaehie made the call at the weekend, while delivering the 4th Heartland Lecture, organised by the Imo Professors’ Forum (IPF), at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The lecture, held at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, was titled, “The Role of Universities in Regional Integration and Development: The Case of South East Nigeria.”
The Vice-Chancellor described regional integration as the creation of an interconnected system that allows the free movement of human resources, goods, capital, technology, and policies across state boundaries, without unnecessary administrative barriers.
He observed that despite the Southeast’s enormous economic potential, the five states in the region continued to operate largely as separate administrative entities, thereby limiting their capacities to achieve accelerated collective development.
“With 42 tertiary institutions serving a highly commercialised population of about 25 million people, the region’s challenge is clearly not a shortage of academic institutions.
“Rather, the real strategic challenge lies in aligning these 42 universities to collectively address the region’s socio-economic bottlenecks and drive sustainable development. Universities must move beyond passive industrial visits and establish direct, formal partnerships with regional industrial and commercial hubs,” he said.
Anyaehie further proposed the establishment of a South East University Innovation Consortium, the introduction of a Campus-to-Cluster Initiative, the creation of a regional joint research and innovation fund, and the formation of a South East Policy, Security, and Economic Observatory. He said the proposed initiatives should bring universities into closer collaboration with state governments and the private sector, to address the region’s development challenges.
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He said such strategic partnerships would strengthen regional cooperation, promote research and technological innovation, attract investments, improve policy coordination, and harness the collective intellectual resources of universities to drive sustainable economic growth across the South East.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and Deputy Chief of Staff to Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, Chief Enyinna Onuegbu, described the lecture topic as timely and relevant, noting that regional integration was critical to accelerating development in the South East. He commended the Imo Professors’ Forum for providing a platform for intellectual engagement on issues affecting the region.
Onuegbu also expressed delight that Anyaehie, whom he described as an accomplished Professor of Medicine and seasoned university administrator, was selected to deliver the lecture. He appreciated the forum for considering him worthy to chair the 4th Heartland Lecture, despite his demanding official responsibilities.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Simon Ortuanya, the Provost of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Malachi Okwueze, commended members of the IPF for their immense contributions to the university’s academic and administrative development, describing them as worthy ambassadors of Imo State.
Earlier, the Chairman of IPF, Prof. Boniface Nworgu, said Anyaehie, who previously served as Vice-Chairman of the forum, had demonstrated exceptional leadership in transforming UNIZIK since assuming office as Vice-Chancellor in 2025. He commended the university chief executive for his achievements and urged him to sustain the momentum.
Nworgu explained that the forum was established in 2021, adding that it was subsequently revived and formally commenced its activities in April 2016. He described the Heartland Lecture as an intellectual platform for examining ideas and policy options capable of advancing the development of Imo State and Nigeria.
“As a forum of intellectuals, we regard lectures of this nature as important instruments for interrogating ideas and identifying practical solutions that can accelerate the development of our state and the nation. This explains why the themes of our Heartland Lectures are carefully chosen to reflect the developmental needs and aspirations of our people,” he said.
He also thanked Onuegbu for accepting to chair the occasion despite his demanding schedule as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Uzodimma. The event featured the presentation of awards of excellence to some distinguished guests by the Imo Professors’ Forum.
