Centenary of impact: Education, business leaders to honour Otonti Nduka @100

As Otonti Nduka, one of Africa’s foremost pillars of education and a champion of values-based learning, marks his 100th birthday, education and business leaders are set to celebrate a lifetime of remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s academic and professional landscape.

The landmark centenary event, slated for Friday, May 8, will bring together distinguished figures to honour his enduring legacy, decades of service, and influence across generations.

Nduka, an emeritus professor, earned his PhD from the University of Ibadan and held key roles at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and pioneered values education in post-colonial Africa.

His seminal works, including The Foundations of Social Order and Ethics in Education, influenced policies integrating moral philosophy into STEM and humanities curricula.

Even in retirement, he has mentored leaders shaping Nigeria’s education sector, as well as reforms in moral values, ethics, and governance.

Recognised as a distinguished professor of the century by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and former president of the Nigeria Academy of Education, Nduka’s 100th birthday will spotlight his enduring contributions to intellectual rigor, moral education, and nation-building.

Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, will serve as the special guest of honour, with Siminialayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, as the chief host.

Kingsley Moghalu, renowned economist and former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, will deliver the keynote address, titled “Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values Education in Nigeria.”

His speech will dissect the erosion of ethical foundations amid rapid globalisation, technological disruption, and socio-political turbulence, advocating curricula reforms that prioritise integrity, critical thinking, and cultural resilience, core tenets of Nduka’s philosophy.

Grant Offor, chairman of the Ramec Group of Companies, will serve as chief launcher for the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education Endowment Fund.
The initiative aims to raise N5 billion for scholarships, teacher training programs, and research centres dedicated to values education across Nigerian universities.

Offor’s involvement highlights the private sector’s growing stake in educational philanthropy. “Prof. Nduka taught us that true wealth builds character first,” he stated, pledging his company’s technical expertise for sustainable implementation.

Kanu Agabi, distinguished legal luminary and former attorney general of the federation, will also grace the occasion, sharing anecdotes from his illustrious career.

According to the organisers, the event promises to draw top minds from academia, government, industry, and civil society, underscoring Nduka’s cross-generational influence.

“This centenary is not just a birthday; it’s a national reckoning with the values that define our progress,” Hilary Wordu, spokesperson for the Otonti Nduka Centenary Committee, said.

The programme is billed to kick off with a national conference featuring panel discussions on “Reviving Values in a Digital Age” and “Ethical Leadership for National Development.”

Day two shifts to a cultural celebration, blending highlife music, traditional dances, wrestling, poetry recitals, and a gala dinner. Besides, there will be the unveiling of Nduka’s centenary portrait and the launch of his curated anthology on Nigerian educational philosophy.

The venue for this landmark event will be the Rivers State University auditorium, and over 1,500 attendees are expected to grace the occasion, including vice-chancellors, policymakers, educationists, academics, and future leaders.

It aligns with a renewed focus on values education as a bulwark against corruption and inequality. As Nduka, an emeritus professor, turns 100, his life exemplifies values, education, and adaptive leadership amid moral crises, serving as a beacon for a nation navigating uncertainty.