COOU Hosts Maiden Policy Discourse on Anambra’s ₦757.9bn 2026 Budget

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) successfully convened its inaugural COOU Policy Discourse Series, themed: “Sub-National Budgets and Public Policy Realities: Understanding the Fiscal Choices in Anambra State’s ₦757.9 Billion 2026 Budget Proposal.”

The event took place at the NMA Hall, COOUTH Amaku Campus, drawing policymakers, scholars, professional bodies, and civil society actors to critically examine fiscal governance and development planning at the sub-national level.

In his opening remarks, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha described the discourse as a strategic embodiment of COOU’s 3Vs philosophy—Values, Viability, and Visibility—underscoring the University’s ambition to serve as the “Now University and of the Future.” He emphasized that the platform allows the University to move beyond the classroom, applying research and scholarship to address real policy challenges, promote ethical public finance, and strengthen evidence-based governance.

The session featured goodwill messages from key institutions, including the Nigerian Economic Society (NES), Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS), Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), and representatives of civil society organizations. All lauded COOU for establishing a credible forum for constructive policy engagement.

The intellectual highlight was the Lead Paper/Keynote Presentation by Prof. Uzochukwu Amakom (Department of Economics and Institute for Development Studies, University of Nigeria; former Senior Public Financial Management Expert, Nigeria Governors’ Forum), which provided a comprehensive analysis of Anambra State’s 2026 budget, focusing on revenue projections, expenditure priorities, and broader governance implications.

A panel discussion on the Fiscal Policy, Governance, and Development Implications of the 2026 Anambra State Budget followed, featuring Chiamaka Nnake, FCCA, MBA; Hon. Ejike Okechukwu; Prof. Uche Collins Nwogwugwu; and Mr. Okey Onyeka, moderated by Dr. Chukwunonso Ekesiobi. The event concluded with an interactive session and a draft policy communiqué presented by Dr. Onyekachukwu Ebenebe, cementing COOU’s growing role as a hub for policy-relevant scholarship and public discourse.