After thirty two years of creation, the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), still points inadequate physical facilities as a major challenge confronting the university.
Established in 1992 by the then President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ibrahim Babangida, through Decree No. 48 of November 1992. The establishment was aimed to address key issues in agricultural education, including linking education, research, and production more effectively, and preparing graduates for self-employment.
Regrettably, after several years of establishment, the institution which was dedicated to the training of her students to become professionally competent and confident graduates with enviable dexterity, still struggles with challenges that hinder the fulfillment of its vision.
Speaking at the just concluded 2025 Founder’s Day celebration and the 2nd
Michael Iheonukara Okpara Lecture Series, held at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, said there is a compelling need for massive injections of funds for the upgrade of the university’s physical environment.
According to him, the major problem of the university currently is inadequate physical facilities. He said the state of the university’s physical facilities belies their collective commitment to provide quality education for their students, stating that the best curriculum would suffer significant deficit, if all the facilities and physical structures needed for effective delivery were not fully aggravated.
Prof Iwe stressed the importance of injecting massive funds into the school, especially when the university was among those that started with the impediment of not having a takeoff grant from the Federal Government.
“We still reiterate our appeal to the Federal Government to kindly consider our persistent request for the release of our take off grant. Such a gesture will go a long way in positively changing the fortunes of the Michael Okpara University, Umudike.
“We also call on organizations and highly spirited individuals to assist us with the endowment of professorial chairs, buildings, equipment and scholarships for our staff and students. Let me at this point acknowledge that the Dr. Michael Okpara Foundation has made good her promise of instituting scholarship for Post graduate students in this university. We have enrolled the first five students fully sponsored by the Foundation in our various Post Graduate programs”.
Prof Iwe further acknowledged the efforts of past vice chancellors of the university, applauding their contributions in repositioning the school.
He recounted some notable progress his administration has recorded to include the building of some facilities, especially the permanent site. “We have also completed some others, including this ultra-modern lecture theatre which was just commissioned by our amiable Pro- Chancellor, Comrade Fidelis Edeh.
“The various arms and support organs of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike are quite vibrant. In consonance with the institution’s mandate, these outfits strive to enthrone a functional, sustainable, excellence-driven and productive research culture, especially in Agriculture, Science, Engineering, Technology and Management to solve societal problems, prioritizing the needs of the catchment areas and the nation. For example, the Research Directorate has been proactively hosting high level symposia, research exhibitions and conferences”.
During the 2nd Michael Iheonukara Okpara Lecture, Prof Iwe called on the South East Development Commission and the Governors of the Southeastern states to honour and preserve Dr. M.I. Okpara’s legacy.
He said they should leverage on the Igbo person’s entrepreneurial spirit, the services of technology, land holding and the resources therein, to reposition the South East to reclaim its position as leader among regions in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.
In his speech, the chairman on the occasion and Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Sen Austin Akobundu, praised the unique qualities of Dr M.I. Okpara, describing him as a political sage whose legacy remained indelible.
Senator representing Abia Central District, Sen Austin Akobundu
He said the late Premier of the Eastern Region was a visionary leader and statesman who stood firmly for his people when it mattered most and
pledged his commitment to support MOUAU in revitalizing the Southeast through institutions like the South East Development Commission and ensuring that agriculture which he said was Dr Okpara’s chosen tool for empowerment, returns to the front burner of national development.
Delivering his lecture on “Agripreneur Model for Attainment of National Food Security and Economic Development: The M.I. Okpara Approach in Retrospect, Leveraging the South East Development Commission (SEDC) as a Modern Vehicle for Legacy Continuity”, the guest lecturer and chairman, Governing Board of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Dr Emeka Wogu, who was represented by Prof Nnamdi Nwaneri, highlighted the economic importance of the M.I Okpara’s model in the South East, a term he referred to as, “Okparanomics”.
Prof Nnamdi Nwaneri
Dr Wogu emphasized that the future of the South East could be reclaimed through Agripreneurship, pointing that the South East Development Commission represents a bold vision combining timeless wisdom with modern innovation, creating a pathway to regional prosperity and self-determination.
Earlier, in his speech, the Governor of the State, Dr Alex Otti, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbaeze, congratulated the Vice Chancellor, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe for his purposeful leadership since his assumption of office in 2021.
The Governor, Dr Alex Otti, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture,Dr Cliff Agbaeze, in a hand shake with the Senator representing Abia Central,Sen Austin Akobundu
According to the Governor, the university under Prof Iwe had witnessed tremendous progress, as well as, human resources development.
He praised the leadership of Dr. Michael Okpara, crediting it for the significant agricultural development in the South East. At the state level, the Governor emphasized the government’s commitment to advancing agricultural technology and supporting agro-based entrepreneurs to boost food production, noting that the government is constructing roads to ease the evacuation of farm produce and reduce post-harvest losses. “Additionally, extension services are being provided to farmers, and an enabling environment is being created for agro-businesses to thrive”.
The Governor, however, outlined his vision to build a robust agricultural sector that ensures food security and generates employment opportunities.
In a vote of thanks, the first son of the late Premier, Chief Uzodinma Okpara, commended the guest lecturer for positing a way forward for South East, using the Dr M.I Okpara’s model, adding that when jobs are created and Agriculture promoted, the economy would be stabilized.
Chief Uzodinma Okpara
Uzodinma Okpara, however appreciated the MOUAU for sustaining the legacy of his late father through the bi- annual public lecture.
Present at the event were, the former Senator of Abia Central District, Den Chris Adighije, Traditional rulers across Abia particularly the Ohuhu Council of traditional rulers, members of business associations such as the Umuahia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, members of Trade Association of Nigeria, Abia State Chapter, Scholars, among others.
