The University of Nigeria Business School (UNNBS), Enugu Campus, has once again demonstrated its growing influence as a hub of intellectual excellence and policy-shaping dialogue with the successful hosting of its 5th International Conference (Virtual).
Held under the theme “Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Inclusive Growth,” the conference convened a diverse global audience of scholars, policymakers, industry leaders, and development practitioners. The event not only met expectations but exceeded them, recording an impressive virtual turnout and generating conversations that resonated far beyond academic circles.
At the heart of this success was the Director of the UNN Business School, Prof. Robinson Onuora Ugwoke, whose leadership, vision, and meticulous coordination were widely acknowledged as the cornerstone of the conference’s seamless execution.
Prof. Robinson Onuora Ugwoke
Director, UNN Business School and Host of the Conference.
Delivering the welcome address, Prof. Ugwoke emphasized the urgency of rethinking economic development strategies in a rapidly evolving global landscape. He noted that entrepreneurship, when driven by innovation, holds the key to unlocking sustainable growth and economic resilience.
He stressed that while entrepreneurship remains a vital driver of job creation and productivity, its true potential can only be realized when supported by innovation; which must be technological, institutional, and social.
According to him, Nigeria must deliberately transition from necessity-driven entrepreneurship to opportunity-driven, innovation-led enterprise, capable of generating scalable and sustainable economic value.
“Entrepreneurship without innovation may sustain livelihoods, but innovation-driven enterprise transforms economies” Ugwoke said.
The Director further highlighted the role of academic institutions in bridging knowledge with real-world solutions, noting that the UNN Business School remains committed to fostering ethical leadership, advancing research, and strengthening industry partnerships.
Recall:
The UNN Business School (UNNBS) is a graduate business school owned by the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria’s indigenous premier university. It was incorporated as a limited liability company and commenced operations in 2018. The School is located at the Enugu campus of the University of Nigeria. Its vision and mission is to be an undisputed world class leading business school, and produce a crop of outstanding professional graduates who will drive entrepreneurship development in Nigeria, the African continent and beyond, providing consultancy services to individual businesses and organisations respectively.
In his keynote remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, represented by the DVC, Enugu Campus, Prof. Jesophat U.J Onwumere, lauded the Business School for its commitment to excellence and relevance.
He described the conference theme as both timely and critical, particularly for emerging economies like Nigeria, where entrepreneurship and innovation must be harnessed within an inclusive framework to avoid widening socio-economic disparities.
Professor Ortuanya stressed the responsibility of Universities to produce graduates who are not only employable but also capable of creating employment. He reaffirmed the University’s dedication to strengthening academic programmes, promoting interdisciplinary research, and building strategic partnerships with industry and government.
Prof. Ortuanya,
The 16th and current Vice Chancellor,
University of Nigeria and Chief Host of the Conference
To ensure a holistic exploration of the central theme, the conference featured a range of sub-themes, including: Health, Management, Finance, Education, Marketing, Accounting, Services Sector.
These thematic areas allowed participants to interrogate sector-specific challenges while drawing connections across disciplines; an approach widely praised for its inclusiveness and depth.
At a time when Nigeria grapples with economic uncertainties, rising unemployment, and structural inefficiencies, the conference provided a timely intervention.
Discussions emphasized the need for:
— Strategic investment in human capital development
— Strengthening of digital and innovation ecosystems
— Policy reforms to create an enabling business environment
— Inclusion of women, youth, and rural populations in economic activities
UNN Business School, Enugu
Participants agreed that inclusive growth must go beyond statistical economic expansion to ensure equitable distribution of opportunities and improved living standards.
“The true test of progress is not how much we grow, but how many people grow with us.”
Beyond the presentations and discussions, the conference succeeded in fostering meaningful collaborations, inspiring actionable ideas, and reinforcing the role of academia in national development.
Observers noted that the event further cemented the reputation of the UNN Business School as a thought leader in entrepreneurship and development studies, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa.
Flier of the Conference
Special commendation continues to trail Prof. Ugwoke for his dependable leadership, managerial efficiency and commitment to excellence, while the Vice-Chancellor’s support and strategic direction were equally instrumental in achieving the conference’s objectives.
As the curtains fall on the 5th International Conference, stakeholders are optimistic that the insights generated will translate into policies, innovations, and enterprises capable of addressing Nigeria’s pressing socio-economic challenges.
✍️ The Concourse Media.
