UNIZIK Assembles BUSINESSe Titans to Drive Capital Market Education, Enterprise Development

…Agama delivers keynote as university inaugurates high-powered Board, unveils Innovation Hub and Igba Boi-inspired entrepreneurship initiative

By Gabriel Chy Alonta

The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has assembled some of Nigeria’s leading business executives, investment professionals, entrepreneurs, legal practitioners and academics to drive capital market education, research, innovation and enterprise development.

The initiative took centre stage on Thursday, November 12, 2026, as the university inaugurated the Board of its Centre for Capital Market Studies (UCCMS), in a move aimed at strengthening collaboration between academia and industry while contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s capital market and broader economy.

The event featured a keynote address by the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, and the unveiling of plans for an Innovation Hub and an entrepreneurship development initiative inspired by the traditional Igbo Igba Boi apprenticeship system.

Performing the inauguration, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, Professor Bond Ugochukwu Anyaehie, said the establishment of the Board aligned with his administration’s vision and mission of repositioning the university through institutional development, strategic partnerships and impactful programmes.

He highlighted some of the achievements recorded by his administration and charged members of the Board to work collectively towards realising the Centre’s mandate.

Anyaehie emphasised the importance of teamwork and commitment, urging the members to deploy their professional experience and networks to advance the Centre’s objectives.

Speaking at the event, the Director of UCCMS, Professor Chinedu Onyeizugbe, described the inauguration as a defining milestone in the Centre’s development.

He explained that the Centre had evolved from a modest beginning into a platform for capital market education, investment awareness, research, entrepreneurship development and public engagement through strategic partnerships.

According to him, the Centre is expanding its activities beyond conventional academic programmes to establish practical interventions that connect knowledge with investment opportunities and enterprise development.

A major component of this expansion is the proposed Innovation Hub, which will mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, promote financial literacy and provide support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Onyeizugbe also announced plans for an apprenticeship-to-enterprise initiative modelled after the traditional Igbo Igba Boi system. The programme is designed to equip young entrepreneurs with practical business knowledge, mentorship and the experience required to establish and sustain viable businesses.

The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between entrepreneurial training and business ownership by exposing participants to practical business operations and the realities of enterprise management.

The Centre’s Director further disclosed that UCCMS would host another major conference and workshop on December 3, 2026, as part of efforts to expand capital market awareness and strengthen engagement between businesses and investment institutions.

He also highlighted the importance of business continuity and succession planning, urging indigenous entrepreneurs to embrace sound corporate governance structures that would enable their businesses to survive beyond their founders.

Delivering the keynote address, the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, underscored the role of academic institutions in strengthening Nigeria’s capital market.

Agama called for greater synergy between universities, capital market regulators and industry operators, stressing that research, knowledge development and practical collaboration were essential to building a stronger financial market.

He expressed delight that UNIZIK was taking the lead in advancing capital market operations in Nigeria, highlighting the market’s importance in driving economic growth, mobilising investments, creating wealth and promoting business sustainability.

In his remarks, renowned engineer, industrialist and Chairman of Geometric Power, Professor Barth Nnaji, disclosed plans by the company to go public, describing the move as a strategic approach to ensuring business continuity and sustainability beyond its founders.

Nnaji encouraged other indigenous companies to explore the opportunities available in Nigeria’s capital market, particularly through public listing.

He noted that listing on the capital market could strengthen corporate governance, provide access to investment capital and establish institutional structures that would enable businesses to outlive their founders.

The industrialist also urged entrepreneurs to embrace long-term planning and sound corporate governance in building enduring businesses.

The newly inaugurated Board is chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bond Ugochukwu Anyaehie, with Nicholas Okoye serving as Co-Chairman and Professor Chinedu Onyeizugbe as Director of the Centre.

Other members include Kola Adesina, Group Managing Director/CEO of Sahara Group; Onajite Okoloko, Chairman/CEO of Bullcrest Mineral Resources and Co-founder of Oando Plc; Dr. Ola Brown, Founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria and HealthCap Africa; Ms. Ozioma Agu, Partner at Stren & Blan Partners; and Yusufu Modibbo, Chairman of the Association of Investment Advisers and Portfolio Managers.

Also on the Board are Oluwafemi Tejuoso, Founding Operating Partner, Helios Investment Partners Africa; Oluwakemi Awodein, President of the Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria; Professor Chris Imumolen, Founder of Global Wealth University and UNIC Open University; Mr. Patrick Ilodianya, Founder of SFS Capital Ltd; Dr. Kasarachi Michael Enyinna, Founder of Fund Fine Group; and Professor Emmanuel Chukwudebere Obidimma, Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies.

Mrs. Ugo Umennabuike serves as Secretary of the Board.

With the inauguration of the Board and plans to establish the Innovation Hub, UNIZIK is positioning its Centre for Capital Market Studies as a strategic platform for connecting academic research with industry practice, promoting investment knowledge and supporting enterprise development.

The initiative is expected to strengthen the university’s contribution to Nigeria’s financial ecosystem while creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs, indigenous businesses and investment professionals to collaborate towards sustainable economic growth.

#