The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), has declared its readiness to collaborate with the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), in driving a comprehensive agricultural revolution across the South-East region.
The university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, who made this known during the Institution’s 2025 Founder’s Day celebration cum 2nd Dr Michael Okpara’s Public Lecture held recently, said the institution is willing, available, ready and enthusiastic to partner with the SEDC, to bring about agricultural revolution in Southeastern Nigeria in line with the vision of the late sage, Dr. Iheonukara Michael Okpara.
Prof Iwe, disclosed that both the university and the South East Development Commission, can explore areas of mutual interest aimed at transforming agriculture, boosting food security and empowering rural communities.
He recalled that during his inaugural address as Vice-Chancellor, he affirmed his desire to ensure that the university turns out self-reliant farmers and entrepreneurial staff and students. As part of efforts to actualize this commitment, the VC stated that his administration introduced the MOUAU Agric Graduate Loan Scheme. “Under this scheme, graduates from different Colleges of the university are given between N120,000 to N400,000 naira to establish businesses in fish farming, poultry farming, cassava production, piggery, apiculture, palm oil marketing and agric input sales”.
Iwe expressed hope that the scheme could be sustainable and up scaled, through partnership. “The South East Development Commission (SEDC), organizations and personalities can support the university to expand the programme and upwardly review the amount to be given to beneficiaries”, he added.
The Vice Chancellor noted that the university has previously benefitted from relationship linkages and collaborations with individuals, institutions and agencies, adding that establishing a new partnership with the South-East Development Commission would be highly valuable, considering its potential impact on regional development.
He said organisations like the TETFUND has funded most of their infrastructural projects, while the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), built and equipped a state of the art weather station in the school, which he said is fully functional and automatically referenced with the World Meteorological Organization.
“The National office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), assisted us by equipping our Chemistry and Chemical Engineering laboratories. Dr. Chika Ikenga has furnished our Chemistry Laboratory and UYK Foundation facilitated the installation of a 500KVA generator for our bread and biscuits factory. Arrangements are being made for the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) to establish a Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Technology in this institution.
“In addition, the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation has indicated interest in instituting a Graduate Agripreneur Award to qualified graduates of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
“Just recently we entered a relationship with the Hainan University (HNU), Hainan Province China for staff and student exchanges, with full scholarships.Furthermore, we have a recent working relationship with the Centre for Creative Ecology, Kibbutz Lotan, Isreal, among others”, he narrated.
Prof Iwe equally highlighted the institution’s strong capabilities in research, innovation and training. The Initiatives he said were currently being funded by both the university and TETFUND. He suggested that the SEDC could consider supporting these innovative research efforts, among other areas of assistance.
He, however, congratulated the South-East for achieving the establishment of the Commission chaired by the former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, and thanked immensely President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly and all those who ensured that the Southeast Commission was in place, which he added would help the region actualize the vision of the the late M. I. Okpara.
“I wish to commend members of the National Assembly and President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for conceiving and bringing to reality Development Commissions in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. These Commissions will serve as veritable vehicles for progress in our various regions. I congratulate Dr Emeka Wogu on his well deserved appointment as Chairman South East Development Commission. I equally salute other eminent persons appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as members of the commission”.
