The Nnamdi Azikiwe University Business School has called for deeper collaboration between government, industry and academia to accelerate human capital development and economic growth in southeastern Nigeria and beyond.
The appeal was made at the institution’s inaugural Quarterly Business Roundtable, held on the Nnamdi Azikiwe University campus, aimed at aligning public policy, research, and enterprise.
Themed “Anambra Triple Helix System: University–Industry–Government Alignment,” the forum brought together policymakers, academics, and private-sector leaders to discuss strategies for sustainable development.
The Director of the Business School, Pius Okoye said collaboration across sectors is essential for innovation and economic transformation, warning that “no single sector can achieve meaningful development in isolation.”
He said; “the roundtable aims to support the industrialisation agenda of Anambra State by engaging entrepreneurs, small businesses and innovators to build a shared vision for growth.”
Okoye highlighted the “Triple Helix” model as a framework for translating academic research into commercial outcomes, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
He said that closer ties with industry would help universities adapt curricula to market needs while improving students’ access to mentorships and internships, thereby boosting employability.
Delivering the keynote address, Osita Ogbu stressed the need for coordinated policies and stronger institutional linkages among stakeholders. He called for sustained investment in research and innovation as a foundation for long-term development.
The Anambra State Deputy Governor, Onyekachukwu Ibezim described the initiative as ‘timely‘ and urged universities to produce graduates equipped to contribute to economic development.
He also proposed the creation of a multi-stakeholder incubation committee to drive job creation, revenue growth and innovation.
Private sector participants echoed the call for shared responsibility. Emeka Okafor, chief executive of Orbital Creation, said government alone cannot deliver development and advocated mobilising local investment capital through partnerships involving communities and individuals.
Former ambassador Elijah Onyeagba urged a redesign of university curricula to reflect emerging economic realities, alongside increased private sector funding for research and development to strengthen innovation capacity.
Other stakeholders, including senior government officials and business leaders, underscored the importance of sustained investment in human capital, enterprise-friendly policies and institutional partnerships.
Participants agreed that stronger alignment between academia, industry and government would be critical to building a skilled workforce, fostering innovation and unlocking the region’s economic potential.