We are building a university that befits the Great Zik status, VC tells UNIZIK Alumni at Abuja Convention

UNIZIK Embraces Digital Innovations

We are building a university that befits the Great Zik status, VC tells UNIZIK Alumni at Abuja Convention

UNIZIK Embraces Digital Innovations

Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie has assured members of the university alumni that the university under his watch is growing to befit the status of the African statesman, Nnamdi Azikiwe,  the Great Zik of Africa whom the university is named after.

Speaking on Saturday , 3rd October 2026 , during the International Convention of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Alumni Association held at the Exclusive Serene Hotel, Wuye, Abuja, the Vice Chancellor disclosed to the gathering that the university has embraced digital innovations and ultramodern information communication technology in its administration thereby cutting off various administrative bureaucratic  bottlenecks that often frustrated public service efficiency and operations.

The Professor of Physiology and Clinical Measurements,  while addressing the great alumni members thanked them for remembering their alma mater and assured them of the readiness of his administration to not only partner with them for a greater UNIZIK but to bequeath to them,  a university they all would be proud of  associating with anywhere in the world.

He recalled the difficult moment he met at the inception of his administration in November last year but disclosed that he was undaunted by the challenges which he tackled head on and also with the support of the alumni body both from Asaba Branch, the UK branch and others who gave initial supports that actually made serious impact for the administration.

The Vice Chancellor listed various critical interventions taken by his administration so far in the digitalization efforts to include digital clearance, digital transcript processing, e-provision of statement of results etc.

“We are poised to creating a conducive learning environment in the university. As from this session starting, we will not have any student standing during lectures. All classrooms will be kitted and fitted with the necessary learning tools and we will admit only the much we can cater for. As for those graduating, we have activated the digital clearance in such way that one can stay in any part of the world and get cleared within 5 days of applying.

“Once cleared too, the system generates a provisional certificate for you which you can download online That certificate can serve as your permanent certificate in such a manner that after convocation, we just remove the watermark provisional and you download it  from anywhere you are. When you apply for a job, it has a barcode, you scan the barcode and authenticate it and your certificate is authenticated immediately” the VC disclosed to the greater cheering of the alumni.

He also praised TETfund (whose representative was in the meeting) for the various interventions given so far to UNIZIK recalling that the university was in the restricted/ banned list of TETfund when he assumed office but was lifted after he made contacts with the agency.

Chairman of the Occasion, former Senate President, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim in a remark praised the university management and the alumni body for keeping the legacies of the great Zik alive in the university.

Senator Anyim who jokingly pleaded to be admitted into the global alumni body of Nnamdi Azikiwe University though not a former student of the university, noted that alumni bodies are progressive in nature and should naturally focus on sustaining the integrity, dignity and objectives of the institution where they graduated from.

He emphasized the need to look back to the institution after graduation noting that even the bible in Genesis 2:15 created man and put him the Garden of Eden with an instruction to tend the garden and look after it.

“When you walk through a place that impacted your life, it is just right that you look back and contribute your own quota to its growth” Senator Anyim emphasized.

Guest Speaker, Mallam Ali Muhammad Ali, Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) speaking on the theme –Innovation, Integrity and Inclusion: Rekindling the Zik Vision for a new era, described the great Zik as a brand that projected the African continent as the brightest of the world. He charged the alumni body from the university named after the great Zik of Africa to be problem solvers as graduates who have passed the level of job seekers but problem solvers.

He charged them to move from degree acquisition to knowledge creation, from exam success to societal impact noting that the alumni can establish various funding programmes to connect the alumni body to the global world and make the desired positive impact.

Earlier in the convention, the Global President, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Alumni Association, Prof. Ikechukwu Umeh in an address, said the convention provided another opportunity to reunite as Great Zikites,  review their journey , account for their stewardship , strengthen their bonds and collectively chart the future of the association.

He said the administration approached the year with the conviction that an alumni association should be measured not merely by the meeting it holds, but by the lives it touches, the institution it strengthens, and the opportunities it leaves behind.

“Consequently, our activities focused on student support and mentorship, institutional development, constitutional strengthening, branch expansion, alumni engagements and the completion of the Alumni centre.” he stated.

On the road ahead, the global President said the association is encouraged by the progress recorded but much still remains to be done.

“The scholarship scheme must grow, our mentorship activities must become more structured, the temporary secretariat must continue to develop, the constitutional review process and expansion of the Board of Trustees must be concluded, existing branches must be strengthened and new ones inaugurated and above all, the Alumni center must be completed.

“As we grow, transparency and accountability must remain central to our operations. Every member who contributes time, resources or expertise deserves confidence that such contributions are being responsibly utilized. Trust strengthens participation, and participation strengthens institutions” he stated.

He also appreciated the Vice Chancellor and Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University for their cooperation and support while the Chairman of the National Convention Committee, Dr. Obinna Uyaemezina expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the event.

The convention also featured the conferment of award to deserving recipients including Chief Dr Ifeanyi Josephat Obi, Chief Mrs Nkechi Jacob, Arc. Chief Christian Asaga Nwali and High Chief Kenneth Ifekudu.