UNN business school’s 5th conference ignites conversations

The University of Nigeria Business School has demonstrated its academic excellence as it successfully hosted its 5th international conference recently, drawing a global audience of scholars, policymakers and industry leaders.

The conference, themed, “Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Inclusive Growth,” provided a vibrant platform for intellectual exchange, policy dialogue and practical solutions tailored to addressing the economic challenges confronting emerging economies.

Declaring the conference open, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Simon Ortuanya, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Jesophat Onwumere, applauded the business school for sustaining a culture of excellence and global relevance. He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to nurturing innovative leaders and job creators capable of driving national and global development.

At the heart of the conference’s success was the Director of the Business School, Robinson Onuora Ugwoke, whose visionary leadership ensured that the event aligned with international best practices.

In his address, Prof. Ugwoke emphasised the urgent need for Nigeria to transition from subsistence entrepreneurship to innovation-driven enterprises, stressing that sustainable economic growth could only be achieved through creativity, technology and value addition. He noted that entrepreneurship must evolve beyond survival strategies into structured systems that generate wealth, create jobs and stimulate industrial growth.

He further highlighted that innovation remains the backbone of inclusive development, urging stakeholders across academia, government and industry to foster collaboration, invest in research and build ecosystems that support startups and emerging enterprises. According to him, unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential requires deliberate efforts to integrate innovation into policy and practice.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Prof. Chika Ifediora, in a brief remark, acknowledged the contributions of participants and emphasised the importance of collaborative dialogue in addressing development challenges. He worked alongside key members of the business school’s management team, Prof. Anthony Igwe and Prof. Ifeoma Nwakobi, to ensure the successful coordination of the conference.

Delivering the first lead paper, Chinyere Igwe underscored the need to align entrepreneurship with inclusivity and sustainability, warning that economic growth without deliberate inclusion could further marginalise vulnerable populations. She identified major barriers such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to finance and persistent skill gaps, while advocating coordinated policy actions and strategic partnerships.

The second lead presenter, Jeff Duru, examined the critical role of insurance in business growth, explaining that it enhances resilience, boosts investor confidence and enables enterprises to take calculated risks essential for expansion.

The conference concluded on a high note, reinforcing the position of the University of Nigeria Business School as a leading hub for thought leadership, innovation and policy-driven discourse in Africa and beyond.