By Mimi Chiadikaobi
Awka, The Department of Educational Management and Policy (EMP), Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, on Wednesday, 10th June 2026, celebrated its 20th Anniversary and hosted its 2026 Annual National Conference on the theme,
"Navigating Insecurity in the Nigerian Education System: Strategies for Resilience and Sustainable Development."
Head of Department, Prof. Patience N. Egboka, in her welcome address, described the occasion as a significant milestone in the Department's history, noting that the celebration was not merely of years but of impact.
She highlighted the Department's achievements over the past two decades in producing educational leaders, administrators, researchers and policymakers who have contributed significantly to educational development within and beyond Nigeria.
Speaking on the conference theme, Prof. Egboka noted that insecurity remains one of the greatest threats to educational access, quality and sustainability in Nigeria.
According to her, attacks on schools, threats to students and personnel, and the destruction of educational infrastructure continue to hinder national development, thereby necessitating innovative and evidence-based solutions.
She expressed confidence that the conference would generate practical recommendations capable of strengthening the resilience of educational institutions and promoting sustainable development in the sector.
While celebrating the Department's accomplishments, she also appealed to alumni, philanthropists, corporate organizations and friends of the Department to support efforts aimed at improving laboratory and library facilities as well as providing sustainable energy solutions to enhance teaching, learning, and research.
Chairman of the 20th Anniversary Planning Committee, Prof. Vivian Ngozi Nwogbo, described the celebration as a historic occasion that combined reflection on the Department's rich legacy with scholarly engagement on contemporary educational challenges.
She noted that the Department's journey over the last 20 years has been marked by excellence in teaching, research, mentorship, and service, producing graduates who are making significant contributions in schools, ministries and communities across Nigeria and beyond.
According to her, while the anniversary celebrates the Department's achievements, the conference provides a platform for generating ideas and solutions to address challenges confronting education in Nigeria.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, represented by the the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Hilda Osisioma, welcomed participants to the University and commended the Department for successfully organising the anniversary celebration and conference.
She conveyed the Vice-Chancellor's congratulations to the Department on attaining the twenty-year milestone, describing it as evidence of sustained commitment to academic excellence, research, and leadership development.
She further noted that the conference theme was both timely and critical, given the increasing security challenges facing the nation and their impact on educational institutions.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism that the deliberations would generate actionable recommendations capable of strengthening educational resilience and fostering a safer learning environment across the country.
He urged participants to actively contribute to the discussions and play their respective roles in promoting peace, security, and national development.
Delivering the Keynote Speech, the Provost, College of Education, University of Calabar, John A. Undie, examined the challenges of insecurity in Nigeria's education system and strategies for building resilience and sustainable development.
He described insecurity as a condition in which individuals, groups, communities or states face actual or perceived threats to their safety, survival and well-being.
He observed that insecurity has become a major impediment to educational development in Nigeria, with attacks on schools, kidnapping, violence, and other criminal activities disrupting teaching and learning.
Prof. Undie noted that while several countries facing security threats have strengthened security around educational institutions through improved intelligence gathering, enhanced security infrastructure, rapid response mechanisms and community engagement, Nigeria often resorts to prolonged school closures, a practice he argued could further worsen social and security challenges.
He identified factors such as youth unemployment, poverty, weak intelligence systems, inadequate inter-agency collaboration, and overreliance on military responses as major contributors to insecurity.
To address these challenges, he recommended a balanced approach that combines military efforts with stronger civilian security structures, improved intelligence coordination, economic empowerment initiatives, greater public trust in security institutions, effective utilization of security resources and enhanced regional collaboration.
According to him, sustainable solutions to insecurity require collective responsibility and commitment from government, institutions, communities, and citizens alike.
A major highlight of the event was the unveiling and cutting of the 20th Anniversary cake and the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities whose contributions have significantly impacted education, leadership, community development, and public service.
Recipients of the awards included His Majesty Igwe Chidubem Iweka, Eze Iweka III, Eze Obosi Kingdom; HRM Igwe Sir Ezekwesili Ernest Maduagwuna, Ofemili I of Awba-Ofemili, Igwe of Awba-Ofemili; Chiamaka Nnake, Secretary to the Anambra State Government; Engr. JohnBosco Obinna Onunkwo; Hon. Rome Ibekwe, Mayor of Anaocha LGA; Rtn. Henry Ik Onuorah (Ekwueme); Dr. Nelson Obinna Omenugha; Dr. Michael Emeka Ugwu; Dr. Emerge Ogechukwu; Aneto Samuel Onyema, MD, Dynamo Group, among others.
The event provided an opportunity for participants to celebrate two decades of the Department's contributions to educational leadership, research, and policy development, while also fostering meaningful discourse on addressing insecurity and building a more resilient and sustainable education system in Nigeria.