Osita Chidoka, former Aviation Minister and Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, has called for the establishment of a ₦100 billion endowment fund to transform Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) into one of Africa’s leading institutions.

Speaking as the keynote lecturer at the 3rd Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Lecture, Chidoka emphasized the university’s potential to drive innovative solutions to challenges like erosion, insecurity, and sustainable development in Igboland and Nigeria.

Chidoka urged stakeholders to ensure COOU embodies the legacy of its namesake by fostering groundbreaking research, scholarships, and infrastructure development independent of fluctuating government budgets. Drawing from the success of India’s Institutes of Technology (IITs), he advocated adopting merit-based educational models to cultivate talent and drive societal transformation.

The Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha, reiterated COOU’s commitment to its “Three Vs”—Values, Viability, and Visibility—while notable attendees, including Anambra’s Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim and former Minister Labaran Maku, highlighted the university’s role in advancing education and development.