By Tony Ezike
Distinguished Senator Uche Ekwunife, CON, FCNA, has received an Award of Excellence from Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to human capital development and sustained support for the institution, particularly in infrastructure development, education and skills acquisition.
The award was presented on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, during the 8th International Hybrid Conference of the UNIZIK Business School, held at the ASUU Secretariat Auditorium, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Senator Ekwunife also delivered the keynote address at the conference, which was themed, “Repositioning Africa’s Business Ecosystem for Sustainable Economic Transformation.”
In her address, Ekwunife called on African governments, universities and the private sector to work collaboratively towards repositioning the continent’s business ecosystem through industrialisation, value addition, improved infrastructure, accessible financing and greater support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
She observed that despite Africa’s abundant natural and human resources, the continent remains heavily dependent on imported finished products while exporting raw materials, a pattern that continues to constrain local industrial development, employment generation and sustainable economic growth. She identified inadequate financing for small businesses, poor infrastructure, unreliable electricity supply, limited industrial capacity and weak collaboration among universities, government and businesses as major impediments to economic transformation.
The senator advocated a decisive shift from consumption to production, informal trading to structured business institutions, aid dependence to trade and investment, fossil-fuel-dependent power generation to cleaner energy alternatives, and isolated entrepreneurship to collaborative innovation.
She also challenged universities to move beyond theoretical instruction by establishing business incubation programmes, strengthening industry partnerships and equipping students with practical entrepreneurial skills that would prepare them to compete effectively in the modern economy.
As part of her proposals, Ekwunife introduced the concept of an “Awka Triangle” of Collaboration, positioning the UNIZIK Business School as a knowledge hub, government as a policy enabler, and the organised private sector as a driver of investment and market opportunities. She called for policies that simplify business registration, provide incentives for start-ups, expand access to affordable credit, strengthen local manufacturing and promote agro-industrialisation.
She further urged African businesses to take greater advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by expanding beyond domestic markets through improved transportation networks, harmonised trade standards and efficient payment systems.
Emphasising the importance of practical learning and university-industry collaboration, Ekwunife challenged the UNIZIK Business School to deepen partnerships with major commercial and industrial centres, including Onitsha and Nnewi, while encouraging students to establish viable businesses before graduation.
Highlighting her commitment to human capital development, the senator outlined several constituency interventions across Anambra Central, including the construction and rehabilitation of more than 30 community roads, the provision of solar-powered boreholes and electricity infrastructure, educational support, scholarships, skills acquisition programmes, and empowerment initiatives for women and youths.
She also disclosed that she had facilitated the construction of three major asphalted internal roads at the university’s permanent site, covering more than 3.5 kilometres and significantly improving accessibility and connectivity within the institution.
According to her, the interventions are designed to create an enabling environment for education, entrepreneurship and economic activities while equipping individuals with the resources, opportunities and practical skills needed to improve their livelihoods.
Ekwunife also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for projects in Anambra State, particularly in education, road infrastructure and research funding, as well as the inclusion of the South-East in national railway and gas pipeline masterplans.
Expressing gratitude to the university management for the recognition, Ekwunife said she was honoured both to have been selected to deliver the keynote address at the international conference and to have been considered worthy of the prestigious award. She described the honour as a call to greater service, reaffirming her commitment to contributing to the institution’s continued growth and development.
“I see this award as a call to action because I do not intend to stop at my contributions so far. By the special grace of God, I hope to have more opportunities to do more for this great institution, so that we can continue to celebrate our collective efforts in making positive impacts,” she said.
In his remarks, the Director of the UNIZIK Business School, Prof. Pius V. C. Okoye, underscored the importance of recognising Senator Ekwunife in view of her outstanding contributions and significant developmental footprint across the university.
He highlighted her interventions in the construction of access roads, installation of solar-powered streetlights, provision of scholarships and establishment of an ultra-modern vocational training institution.
Prof. Okoye particularly emphasised the importance of the Senator Uche Ekwunife Skill Acquisition Centre, expressing the expectation that every graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University would benefit from its training programmes and acquire additional practical skills to navigate life’s challenges and thrive in an increasingly competitive world.
He noted that her interventions had contributed to improving the university’s infrastructure while expanding opportunities for students to acquire practical knowledge and skills beyond the classroom.
The award further underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between public office holders and educational institutions in advancing human capital development, innovation and sustainable economic growth.
Reaffirming her commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen entrepreneurship, create employment opportunities and promote economic transformation across Anambra State, the South-East and Nigeria, Ekwunife stressed that Africa’s development would depend on deliberate collaboration, political will and sustained investment in productive enterprise.
Among the resource persons and dignitaries at the conference were Prof. Bond Stanley Ugochukwu Anyaehie, Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, who was represented at the event; Chief Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, CON, OON, FCA, former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Chairman of Masters Energy Group of Companies and Chairman of the Occasion; Amb. Anderson Nkemakonam Madubuike, former Nigerian Ambassador to Australia and Lead Paper Presenter II; and Prof. Uju Ezenekwe, Deputy Director I of the UNIZIK Business School and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), alongside other prominent personalities from the university community.
