Nigeria to celebrate 100-Year milestone of Emeritus Professor Otonti Nduka at grand centenary event

Nigeria’s education, political and business elites are expected to gather in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, May 8, for a two-day centenary celebration in honour of Emeritus Professor Otonti Amadi Nduka, a leading scholar widely recognised for his pioneering work in values-based education and moral philosophy.

The event, organised by the Otonti Nduka Centenary Committee, marks the 100th birthday of the renowned academic whose influence spans decades of teaching, research and policy engagement in Nigeria’s education sector.

Prof. Nduka, described by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as a “Distinguished Professor of the Century” and a former President of the Nigeria Academy of Education, is being honoured for his lifelong contributions to ethical learning, intellectual development and national transformation.

Organisers say the centenary celebration will attract top government officials, academics, industry leaders and civil society stakeholders in recognition of his impact across multiple sectors.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, is billed to attend as Special Guest of Honour, while the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, will serve as Chief Host and Special Guest of Honour.

According to the Centenary Committee, the event is designed not only as a celebration of longevity but also as a reflection on the role of values in shaping Nigeria’s future.

Speaking ahead of the event, spokesperson Prof. Hilary Wordu described the celebration as “a national moment of reflection on the values that underpin progress and development.”

A major feature of the programme will be a keynote lecture by former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu, who will speak on “Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values Education in Nigeria.”

He is expected to examine the declining emphasis on ethics in education and governance, while proposing reforms that prioritise integrity, critical thinking and cultural grounding in Nigeria’s learning systems.

The celebration will also witness the official unveiling of the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education Endowment Fund, with a fundraising target of ₦5 billion to support scholarships, teacher development and academic research in values-based education across Nigerian universities.

Chairman of Ramec Group, Engr. Grant Offor, will serve as Chief Launcher of the initiative, leading private-sector participation in what organisers describe as a long-term investment in education reform.

Also expected at the event is former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, who will join other dignitaries in paying tribute to Prof. Nduka’s legacy and influence on ethical leadership in public life.

Prof. Nduka, an alumnus of the University of Ibadan and former academic at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is credited with laying early foundations for structured values education in post-colonial Africa.

His scholarly works, including The Foundations of Social Order and Ethics in Education, have remained reference materials in debates on curriculum reform and moral instruction in Nigerian schools.

Over the years, he has mentored several generations of scholars, administrators and policymakers, many of whom credit his teachings for shaping their professional ethics and leadership philosophies.

The two-day centenary programme will begin with a national conference featuring panel discussions on “Reviving Values in a Digital Age” and “Ethical Leadership for National Development.”

The second day will feature cultural performances, including music, dance, poetry and traditional displays, alongside a gala dinner. Organisers also confirmed plans to unveil a centenary portrait of the professor and present a curated anthology of his academic works.

The celebration is expected to host more than 1,500 participants at the Rivers State University auditorium, reflecting what organisers describe as Prof. Nduka’s enduring legacy in education reform, moral development and nation-building.