Nigeria’s education and business sectors are set to converge on Friday, May 8, for a two-day centenary celebration in honour of Emeritus Professor Otonti Nduka, widely regarded as one of Africa’s foremost advocates of values-based education and moral instruction.
The landmark celebration, scheduled to be held at Rivers State University, will mark the 100th birthday of the distinguished academic, whose decades-long contributions to education, ethics, and nation-building have shaped policy discourse across Nigeria and beyond.
Recognised by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as Distinguished Professor of the Century and a former President of the Nigeria Academy of Education, Prof. Nduka is being celebrated for his enduring intellectual legacy and commitment to strengthening moral foundations within the education system.
The event will feature the Honourable Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, as Special Guest of Honour, while Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara will serve as Chief Host and Special Guest of Honour.
According to organisers, the centenary is expected to attract leading figures from academia, government, industry, and civil society, reflecting Prof. Nduka’s wide-ranging influence across generations.
“This centenary is not just a birthday; it is a national reckoning with the values that define our progress,” said Prof. Hilary Wordu, spokesperson for the Otonti Nduka Centenary Committee.
A keynote address will be delivered by renowned economist and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu, who will speak on “Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values Education in Nigeria.” His lecture is expected to examine the erosion of ethical standards in education amid globalisation, technological change, and socio-political pressures, while advocating reforms centred on integrity, critical thinking, and cultural resilience.
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The programme will also feature the unveiling of the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education Endowment Fund, an initiative aimed at raising ₦5 billion to support scholarships, teacher training, and research in values education across Nigerian universities. Chairman of Ramec Group, Engr. Grant Offor, will serve as Chief Launcher of the initiative, pledging private sector support for its implementation.
Legal luminary and former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, is also expected to attend, where he will share reflections from his distinguished legal career and interactions with the celebrant.
Prof. Nduka, an alumnus of the University of Ibadan and former academic at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is credited with pioneering values education in post-colonial Africa. His influential works, including The Foundations of Social Order and Ethics in Education, have shaped curriculum development and policy thinking in moral philosophy, education, and governance.
The two-day event will open with a national conference featuring panel discussions on “Reviving Values in a Digital Age” and “Ethical Leadership for National Development.” The second day will transition into a cultural celebration featuring music, traditional dances, poetry, wrestling displays, and a gala dinner.
Highlights of the celebration include the unveiling of Prof. Nduka’s centenary portrait and the launch of a curated anthology on Nigerian educational philosophy.
Organisers say over 1,500 guests are expected, including vice-chancellors, policymakers, scholars, and emerging leaders, describing the event as a major milestone in Nigeria’s renewed emphasis on values-based education as a tool for national development and social stability.