At the AMTY Awards 2026, UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor calls for Innovative Industrialisation as the next step to Anambra’s leap to Global Competitiveness
Says UNIZIK is setting the pace in innovation, research and digital transformation
The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, has identified Innovative Industrialisation, investment in the digital economy and Diaspora Secured Investments as the next step towards Anambra State’s giant leap to global competitiveness.
He also called on government, the private sector, academia, and citizens to prioritise human capital development as the key to sustainable growth and global relevance of the state.
Delivering the keynote address last Saturday at the 5th Edition of the Anambra Man of the Year (AMTY) Awards held at the Stanel Dome, Awka, Prof. Anyaehie spoke on the theme, “Unstoppable Anambra: Leveraging Human Capital for Global Impact.”
He emphasised that the true wealth of Anambra lies not in its natural resources or infrastructure but in the intelligence, creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of its people.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, Anambra has consistently produced exceptional individuals who have made remarkable contributions to national development. He cited notable personalities such as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Prof. Chinua Achebe, and Prof. Dora Akunyili as examples of the state’s enduring legacy of excellence.
Prof. Anyaehie attributed the state’s success to what he described as the “Anambra Operating System (Anambra OS),” anchored on three core values: Onye aghana nwanne ya (solidarity), Aku rue uno (bringing wealth and investment back home), and the renowned Igba Boi apprenticeship system, which promotes diligence, loyalty, and entrepreneurship.
He urged stakeholders to modernise these traditional values by strengthening venture capital, supporting innovation, and institutionalising apprenticeship programmes to produce globally competitive entrepreneurs.
The Vice-Chancellor also advocated a strategic shift from manufacturing to innovation-driven economic growth. He identified key priority areas including agro-processing, pharmaceutical production, auto-parts manufacturing, digital technology, startup funding, and diaspora investment.
“To remain unstoppable, we must now make the next great leap: moving from manufacturing to global innovation. The future of our state lies in three critical areas: Innovative Industrialisation: Accelerating agro-processing, pharmaceuticals and auto-parts manufacturing utilising local raw materials. Investment in Digital Economy: Our young people are already coding, creating content, and building high-growth startups. Both the government and the private sector must actively back them with institutional funding and structured mentorship. Diaspora Secured Investment: Anambra’s sons and daughters abroad remit far more than just money; they possess invaluable ideas. We must create seamless, secure channels for them to invest directly back home,” he stated.
Speaking on the role of education beyond the classroom, Prof. Anyaehie stressed the need to invest in technical and vocational education, entrepreneurship development, digital literacy, and mentorship programmes capable of equipping young people with globally relevant skills.
The Vice-Chancellor described Nnamdi Azikiwe University as a major driver of human capital development through the training of professionals, innovators, and technology entrepreneurs.
“To power this vision, Nnamdi Azikiwe University proudly stands as a primary factory of this human capital – training the doctors, the engineers and fintech founders pioneering new technologies. A unified purpose shared among the government, the private sector, our traditional institutions, and academia will always yield a quantum leap for our people.
“True development happens in the synergetic space where academia, community and industry meet. To build a modern global pipeline, we must invest in three critical areas outside the traditional classroom: Grassroots Vocational Skills (TVET): We must scale up structured apprenticeship programs, vocational hubs, and tech boot camps that equip non- academic youth with high-income digital and technical skills.
“SME and Micro-Enterprise Incubation: We must introduce digital literacy and export-compliance education to our traders in Onitsha, Nnewi, and Awka. Through the newly established International Centre for Regional Integration and Trade Research, led by Prof. Ngozi Eunice Egbuna, we offer comprehensive academic and professional programs in International Trade, Trade Policy, and other vital areas.
“Community-Driven Mentorship and Diaspora Funding: We must create direct pathways where our highly successful global diaspora can mentor, fund and train local talents.
If our people excel abroad, it is proof of our DNA. Our goal should not be to build walls to keep them in, but to build bridges of Brain Gain that connect them back home, allowing a tech executive in London to seamlessly fund start-ups in Nnewi and Obosi,” he stated.
He further called for stronger collaboration between universities, industries, communities, and the diaspora to create opportunities for talent development, research commercialisation, and sustainable economic growth.
Commending Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s vision for a “Livable and Prosperous Homeland,” he challenged award recipients and business leaders to mentor young people, create employment opportunities, commercialise research findings, and deliver measurable results that will contribute to Anambra’s continued progress.
Prof. Anyaehie congratulated the organisers of the Anambra Man of the Year Awards on five years of excellence and urged all Anambra citizens to embrace the collective responsibility of building an “Unstoppable Anambra.”
Earlier on, Chairman of the planning committee for AMTY 2026, Rev. Sr. Prof. Adaoma Igwedibia, in a welcome address, noted that the AMTY awards were conceived as a platform to recognise Anambra sons and daughters, affiliates and friends of Anambra whose contributions continue to bring lasting impact in society.
Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. Joe Ezigbo, also in an address, commended organisers of the AMTY Awards, noting that they have reminded the people that excellence should never become ordinary
“Far too often, we reserve recognition for those who are no longer with us. Yet one of the greatest gifts we can offer is to celebrate people while they are alive-to encourage them to continue doing good and to inspire others to follow their example,” he stated.
Distinguished personalities honoured during the Award ceremony included the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, Mr John Ezeobi, among others.