“Invest and Reinvest in Universities”: Prof. Omenugha Warns Against Producing Graduates Without Practical Skills

The Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, FNIPR, has called for sustained investment and reinvestment in universities, emphasizing the need to equip graduates with practical skills, industry experience and technological competence.

She made the call on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, while delivering a keynote address at an event organised by the Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) at the Hollywood Event Centre, Awka. The Vice-Chancellor stressed that university education must go beyond theoretical instruction to prepare students for the realities of the workplace and the demands of a changing economy.

Prof. Omenugha observed that inadequate investment and limited engagement with industry could result in graduates possessing academic knowledge without the practical experience required to function effectively in professional environments. She explained that universities must create opportunities for students to acquire hands-on experience and develop the problem-solving abilities expected by employers.

Highlighting the importance of university-industry partnerships, she noted that the private sector possesses valuable experience that can complement academic knowledge. She therefore encouraged industries to engage universities in identifying workplace challenges, contributing to training programmes and supporting the development of industry-relevant curricula.

The Vice-Chancellor further referenced COOU’s centres for business and enterprise, noting their potential to support entrepreneurship, professional training and research commercialisation. She emphasized that strengthening the connection between academic knowledge and practical experience would help universities produce graduates with the skills and technological competence necessary to contribute meaningfully to industry and national development.

©️COOUNewS, 2026