MOUAU HOSTS 71ST INAUGURAL LECTURE TODAY
The Management of *Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU)* is set to host its 71st Inaugural Lecture today, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. This landmark academic event features high-level research aimed at tackling one of Nigeria’s most pressing socio-economic issues: the poverty cycle.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, on behalf of the University Senate, has invited the public to join this intellectual discourse which promises practical solutions for national development.
I. MEET THE LECTURER
The 71st lecture will be delivered by Prof. Festus Ugwuoke Agbo, a distinguished Professor of Agricultural Economics. Prof. Agbo is renowned for his work in agricultural systems and economic cooperatives as a means of rural and national empowerment.
II. THE THEME: TACKLING THE POVERTY CONUNDRUM
The lecture is titled:
> “Cooperating Out of Poverty: If We Co We Can Operate Out of Nigeria’s Poverty Conundrum.”
The presentation will explore the "Cooperative" model—a system where individuals voluntarily join forces for mutual economic, social, and cultural benefits—as a strategic tool to dismantle the structures of poverty in Nigeria.
*III. EVENT LOGISTICS (PHYSICAL & VIRTUAL)*
Whether you are on campus or across the globe, you can participate in this session:
- DATE: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
- TIME: 1:00 PM (West Central Africa Time)
- VENUE: Senator Anyim Pius Auditorium, MOUAU
*VIRTUAL ACCESS (Zoom):*
- Meeting ID: 835 9856 6249
- Passcode: 035755
IV. WHY THIS LECTURE MATTERS
Inaugural lectures are a rite of passage for professors to present their life's work to the community. For MOUAU, this 71st edition is significant because:
- Practical Solutions: It moves beyond theory to offer a roadmap for poverty alleviation.
- National Relevance: It addresses the current economic challenges facing the Nigerian populace.
- Intellectual Leadership: It reinforces MOUAU’s status as a leader in Agricultural Economics and research.
V. SUMMARY OF THE 71ST INAUGURAL LECTURE
| Feature | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Host | Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa (VC, MOUAU) |
| Presenter | Prof. Festus Ugwuoke Agbo |
| Field | Agricultural Economics |
| Key Focus | Economic Cooperatives & Poverty Alleviation |
THE BOTTOM LINE
Today's lecture at Umudike is more than just an academic tradition; it is a call for a collective shift in how we approach economic survival in Nigeria. For students of economics, agriculture, and social sciences, this is a "must-attend" session.