Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Hosts European Union €400,000 DESIRED Accounting Education Research Grant

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) formally commenced activities for the European Union-funded DESIRED Project on Wednesday, 25th November 2025 at the Marketing Department Lecture Hall, Faculty of Management Sciences Complex, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State.

The €400,000 grant aims to enhance the employability and practical readiness of accounting graduates in Nigeria and Uganda.

The event brought together academic staff from the Accountancy and Finance Departments, student leaders, and members of the COOU EU-DESIRED Research Team. In her address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, credited her 3Vs Agenda of Values, Viability, and Visibility for enabling COOU’s entry onto the EU Erasmus+ platform and fostering international collaboration.

Dr. Chukwunonso Ekesiobi, COOU Research Team Leader, described the DESIRED Grant as a historic milestone for the University, highlighting the importance of collaboration among faculty, students, industry partners, and professional bodies for the project’s success. Dr. Bernard Alajekwu presented the project’s framework, which focuses on bridging the gap between classroom learning and workplace requirements. Key initiatives include curriculum updates, case-study-based teaching methods, soft skills enhancement, structured internships, and an Industry Mentoring Programme. The project is set to benefit over 3,000 students and staff across participating institutions.

Plans were also outlined for an Accounting Students Symposium organized by the COOU Chapter of the Nigerian Universities Accounting Students Association (NUASA) and their Banking & Finance counterparts. The symposium will introduce the DESIRED Project to students, facilitate interaction with employers and professional bodies like ICAN and ANAN, and provide a platform for students to voice their skill development needs.

The Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Professor Ogochukwu Nwangene, and several staff members expressed full support for the project, emphasizing its alignment with new NUC standards emphasizing industrial exposure.

The meeting concluded with a Vote of Thanks from Dr. Cosmas Nwankwo, recognizing the European Union for the grant, COOU management for their support, and the research team for their dedication. Participants left the meeting with a shared commitment to implementing the DESIRED Project responsibly and making it a model for accounting education reform in Nigeria.