Anambra Government, UNIZIK Business School Deepen Partnership on Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The Anambra State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening entrepreneurship development and improving service delivery through a strategic partnership with the UNIZIK Business School.

The assurance was given by the Deputy Governor, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, during the Quarterly Business Roundtable held on March 31, 2026, at the Business School in Awka. The event brought together government officials, academics, and industry stakeholders to advance shared priorities around innovation, inclusiveness, and skills development.

The roundtable, organised in collaboration with the Anambra State Government and the Awka Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, focused on repositioning both the state and Nnamdi Azikiwe University for stronger economic and developmental impact.

In his welcome address, the Director of the UNIZIK Business School, P. V. C. Okoye, described the platform as a critical interface between academia and industry. He expressed confidence that the collaboration would yield measurable outcomes in research advancement, technical capacity building, and youth empowerment.

He noted that the initiative is designed to ensure that academic ideas are translated into practical solutions that address real-world challenges in a rapidly evolving global economy.

The Chairman of the occasion, Ike Odumodu, called for the swift implementation of pilot projects discussed during the session, stressing the importance of sustaining momentum through structured follow-up actions. He referenced ongoing state-backed initiatives such as “Igba Boi” apprenticeship model and the “One Youth, Two Skills” programme as indicators of progress in skills development and entrepreneurship.

Delivering the keynote address, Osita Ogbu emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between government and academia in driving innovation. He argued that entrepreneurship must be practice-oriented and urged stakeholders to prioritise tangible outcomes over theoretical discussions.

Representing Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim commended the organisers for sustaining a development-focused dialogue platform. He reiterated the state government’s commitment to its broader economic transformation agenda and called for the institutionalisation of the roundtable as a permanent engagement mechanism.

Earlier, the event was formally declared open by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Hilda Osisioma, who represented the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University. She expressed optimism that the deliberations would translate into impactful outcomes for both the university and the state.

The event was attended by top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Chiamaka Nnake; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Vincent Egbuna; former Nigerian Ambassador to Burundi, Elijah Onyeagba; and former Commissioner for Industry, Christian Udechukwu, among other dignitaries.