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UNIZIK Hosts Maiden Political Science International Conference, Celebrates Legacy of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe

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By Our Correspondent

The Department of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has held its maiden international conference, with a resounding tribute to the institution’s namesake and Nigeria’s pioneer president, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

The three-day conference, themed “Africa at Crossroads: Confronting Governance, Security and Development Challenges in the 21st Century”, brought together scholars, policymakers, and thought leaders from across Africa.

The event, which took place at the university auditorium from July 24 to 26, 2025, was chaired by Justice Prof. Peter Umeadi, a retired Chief Judge of Anambra State.

In his address, Prof. Umeadi hailed UNIZIK as a unique institution for political science studies, attributing this distinction to the enduring ideals and pan-African philosophy of Dr. Azikiwe.

“Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was not only Nigeria’s first president; he was a continental beacon,” Umeadi stated.

“His influence extended beyond our borders, shaping the political trajectories of African icons like Julius Nyerere, Kenneth Kaunda, and Kwame Nkrumah.

It is fitting that a university bearing his name now rises to interrogate the crises and possibilities facing Africa in the 21st century.”

The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Carol Chinyelugo Arinze-Umobi, welcomed participants with a stirring address that challenged African political scientists to reframe the continent’s future.

“It is utterly disappointing that decades after independence, Africa remains mired in underdevelopment and insecurity,” she said.

“This conference is an opportunity to rethink the structures and mindset that have hampered progress.”

The Vice-Chancellor commended the Political Science Department, led by Prof. Jude C. Okafor, for finally hosting its first international gathering, describing it as “a jinx-breaking milestone.”

 

Prof. Okafor, in his own remarks, described the event as a platform to “interrogate a vital, critical, and controversial theme,” and called on participants to “drink from the cups of highly experienced experts in theory and practice.”

The conference featured distinguished guests, including the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Barr. Olugbenga Kukoyi; Chief Barr. Olisa Metuh, Principal Partner at James Frost & Co.; and renowned academics such as Prof. Ogban-Ogban Iyam and Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu.

Traditional leaders and policymakers were also in attendance, including HRH Igwe Johnson Mbanefo, Chief George Muoghalu, Rt. Hon. Dr. Chukwuma Okoye, Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze, and Amb. Arc. Meshach Odide.

With sessions exploring themes ranging from the resurgence of military rule to the weaponization of ethnic and religious identities, the conference provided critical insight into Africa’s governance deficits.

It also spotlighted opportunities for civic reawakening, accountability, and development through policy innovation and regional cooperation.

Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s commitment to political scholarship, embodied in this inaugural conference, reaffirms its vision of producing leaders and thinkers capable of driving transformational change in Africa.

By Ifeizu Joe

Ifeizu is a seasoned journalist and Managing Editor of TheRazor. He has wide knowledge of Anambra State and has reported the state objectively for over a decade.

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