NMU Launches Maiden Public Lecture Series, Sets Agenda for Research, Innovation and National Development

The Nigeria Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, Delta State, on Wednesday recorded another historic milestone with the inauguration of its Maiden Public Lecture Series, an initiative designed to position the institution as a leading centre for intellectual discourse, research, innovation and policy engagement in Nigeria's maritime and transport sectors.

The landmark event, held at the university campus, drew principal officers, members of the Governing Council and Senate, deans, directors, academics, traditional rulers, students and distinguished guests from within and outside the country.

Delivering her address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Flora Tobolayefa Oluwafemi, described the inauguration of the public lecture series as a defining moment in the institution's evolution, saying the university was deliberately transitioning from its impressive phase of infrastructural expansion to becoming a hub for knowledge creation, critical thinking and evidence-based solutions to national challenges.

According to her, although the Nigeria Maritime University has made remarkable progress in physical infrastructure, academic programmes and student enrolment since its establishment, the launch of the lecture series represents a new chapter in its quest to contribute meaningfully to national development through intellectual engagement.

She described public lectures as one of the enduring traditions of great universities across the world, providing opportunities for scholars, policymakers, industry practitioners and the wider society to interact on issues of national and global importance.

"This marks a historic watershed in the life of our premier institution. A university truly establishes its identity through the rigorous advancement of intellectual discourse," the Vice-Chancellor declared.

Prof. Oluwafemi noted that universities exist not only to award degrees but also to generate ideas capable of influencing public policy, stimulating innovation and addressing societal challenges.

She explained that the maiden lecture reflects NMU's commitment to becoming a leading institution where research findings are translated into practical solutions for economic growth and sustainable national development.

Transport Critical to National Development

The Vice-Chancellor stressed that transportation remains one of the strongest drivers of economic prosperity, saying efficient movement of people and goods across land, sea and air is fundamental to trade, industrialisation and regional integration.

She explained that transport modelling has become an indispensable planning tool, particularly within the maritime industry, where it assists governments and operators in tackling port congestion, optimising logistics networks, improving supply chains and integrating inland waterways into national transportation systems.

She expressed confidence that the inaugural lecture would stimulate fresh thinking on transport planning in developing economies and contribute practical recommendations for improving Nigeria's transportation architecture.

Ogwude Delivers Maiden Lecture

The inaugural lecture, titled "Modelling Transport in a Developing Country: Issues, Theory and Applications," was delivered by the university's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Innocent Chuka Ogwude, a globally respected scholar in Transport Management Technology and one of Africa's foremost authorities in transport economics and logistics management.

Introducing the lecturer, the university highlighted Professor Ogwude's outstanding academic journey spanning more than five decades.

The citation noted that Professor Ogwude made history in 1995 as the first Professor of Transport Management Technology at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, and indeed the first in West and Central Africa.

Throughout his illustrious career, he has served as Head of Department, Dean, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Acting Vice-Chancellor at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, while also serving as consultant to the Federal Government, several state governments and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

His contributions include providing consultancy for the establishment of Institutes of Maritime Studies at the University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Niger Delta University and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.

Professor Ogwude also served as Senior Adviser to the Presidency through the Bureau of Public Enterprises and has conducted extensive research in transport modelling using econometrics, simulation, data envelopment analysis and game theory.

He is a former President of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria and currently chairs the Council for the Registration of Transport Professionals in Nigeria.

The Vice-Chancellor described him as one of Nigeria's finest academic minds, expressing confidence that his wealth of experience and research would enrich national discourse on transportation and maritime development.

Commitment to Academic Excellence

Reaffirming the university's commitment to academic excellence, Prof. Oluwafemi announced that NMU would continue to strengthen its teaching and research capacity through improved infrastructure, expansion of students' training facilities, enhanced campus connectivity and stronger partnerships with strategic agencies.

She listed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) among institutions supporting the university's growth.

She emphasised that sustainable academic excellence thrives on collaboration, adding that the university would continue to invite renowned scholars and industry experts to broaden intellectual engagement and prepare cadets for leadership in the global maritime sector.

"We shall continue to create platforms where scholars, professionals and policymakers exchange ideas capable of transforming our nation and advancing the maritime industry," she affirmed.

Appreciation to Stakeholders

The Vice-Chancellor expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, the Federal Ministry of Education, NIMASA, TETFund, NCDMB, ECN and other partners whose interventions have accelerated the development of the institution.

She also acknowledged the unwavering support of the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe Agadagba, represented at the event by the Prime Minister of the Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Isaiah Ukulor, as well as other community leaders whose cooperation has provided a peaceful environment for the university's growth.

She further commended members of the Local Organising Committee for successfully hosting the university's first public lecture and encouraged participants to actively engage in intellectual discussions capable of generating innovative solutions to contemporary challenges.

Dignitaries Grace Historic Event

The event was attended by members of the Governing Council and University Senate, principal officers of the institution, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Tolumoye Johnnie Tuaweri; Registrar, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo; Provost, Prof. Perekebina Anthony Bariweni; deans of faculties, directors of academic units, invited professors from the Federal University Otuoke and other higher institutions, as well as students, researchers and stakeholders in the maritime and education sectors.

Also present was Professor Sophia Obiajulu Ogwude, wife of the inaugural lecturer.

The maiden public lecture marked the beginning of what university authorities described as a sustained intellectual tradition aimed at positioning the Nigeria Maritime University as a foremost centre of excellence in maritime education, transport research, innovation and national policy development.

With the successful inauguration of the lecture series, stakeholders expressed optimism that the initiative would strengthen collaboration between academia, government and industry while generating practical ideas to address the nation's transportation and maritime challenges.