The Faculty of Education, Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, officially commenced its 10th Annual International Conference on Tuesday, 4 August 2026, with a strong call for the repositioning of education as a catalyst for moral development, peace building and entrepreneurial growth across Africa.
Held at the University Auditorium, Main Campus, the conference, themed "Repositioning Education for Moral Development, Peace Building and Entrepreneurial Growth in Africa," has attracted distinguished scholars, policymakers, education practitioners, development partners, traditional rulers, students and other stakeholders from within and outside Nigeria to deliberate on practical strategies for transforming education on the continent.
Welcoming participants, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Nanighe B. Major, described the conference theme as timely and significant, noting that Africa's moral decline, youth unemployment, insecurity and weakening value systems require a purposeful and transformative educational response. He expressed appreciation to participants for their support over the years and urged them to contribute meaningfully to discussions that would shape the future of education in Africa.
Declaring the conference open, the Vice-Chancellor of Niger Delta University, Professor Allen A. Agih, described the Faculty of Education International Conference as one of the University's foremost academic traditions and commended the Dean of the Faculty and the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Doubrapade Walker, for sustaining the conference's reputation for academic excellence over the past decade.
The Vice-Chancellor stressed that education remains the bedrock of national development and stated that a nation that desires lasting peace, social justice and economic prosperity must invest in an education system that builds character, nurtures ethical leadership and equips young people with the knowledge and skills needed to address contemporary societal challenges. He urged participants to ensure that the conference deliberations produce practical recommendations capable of advancing educational development and nation-building.
A major highlight of the opening ceremony was the presentation of Awards of Excellence and Meritorious Service Awards to distinguished personalities in recognition of their outstanding contributions to education, leadership, public service and societal development.
Recipients of the Award for Excellence were the Vice-Chancellor of Niger Delta University, Professor Allen A. Agih; the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Dr. Peter P. Akpe; Her Excellency Dr. (Mrs) Favour Akpe; Pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Niger Delta University, Professor John C. Buseri, JP; Hon. Dr. Hellen I. Bob, Honourable Commissioner representing Bayelsa State at the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC); Hon. Dr. Michael Amaegbari, Executive Secretary of the Bayelsa State Higher Education Students' Loan Board; Professor Ebimieowei Etebu, Executive Secretary of the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF); and Professor Ekima A. Frank-Oputu, Director of Academic Planning and Strategy, Niger Delta University.
Meritorious Service Awards were presented to Professor Akpoebi C. Egumu, Professor Agnes E. Maliki, Professor Osareme Tawari, Professor Fibaimeme G. Paulley, Hon. (Chief) Azibokodudo O. Sunday, Hon. Timiondi Agoke, Chief (Dr.) Kojo Sam and Dr. (Pst.) Daniel E. Eniekezimene for their exceptional contributions to educational development, institutional advancement and community service. The awards presentation was warmly received by participants and underscored the Faculty's commitment to recognising excellence, dedicated service and impactful leadership.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Festus Chukwunwendu Akpotohwo, Professor of Business Education at the Federal University, Bayelsa State, identified moral development, peace building and entrepreneurial growth as the three critical pillars upon which Africa's educational transformation must rest.
Speaking on moral development, Professor Akpotohwo observed that corruption, examination malpractice, cybercrime and abuse of public trust reflect a deeper crisis of values. He argued that education must deliberately cultivate integrity, accountability and responsible citizenship while drawing from indigenous African philosophies such as Ubuntu and Botho.
According to him, "Every classroom should become a laboratory for peace; every teacher should be a peace ambassador."
On peace building, he drew lessons from Rwanda's post-genocide educational reforms and Sierra Leone's civic rebuilding efforts, explaining that education remains one of the most effective tools for transforming attitudes and behaviours that fuel conflict. He maintained that sustainable development cannot thrive where insecurity persists.
Addressing entrepreneurial growth, Professor Akpotohwo challenged African universities to move beyond producing job seekers by equipping graduates with practical skills, innovation and digital competencies. Citing educational models in Kenya, Ethiopia and Mauritius, he advocated stronger university-industry partnerships, innovation hubs and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence into teaching, learning and enterprise.
He concluded that moral citizens build peaceful societies, peaceful societies attract investment, investment stimulates entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurship creates employment and prosperity, declaring that "If we reposition education, we reposition Africa."
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Occasion, Hon. Col. Bernard Kenebai (Rtd), Deputy Leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and APC candidate for the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, represented by Chief Ombu Okubokakpo Esq., congratulated the Faculty on successfully sustaining the conference to its tenth edition and urged stakeholders to ensure that conference resolutions translate into practical actions in schools and communities.
The Royal Father of the Day, HRM King (Pere) Boloyi's Sufadoa Embareba V, Pere of Kumbowei Kingdom, Sagbama, described the conference as a clarion call for action, stressing that implementation remains more important than documentation. He remarked that "Education without values makes a man a more clever devil."
Representing the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Dr. Peter P. Akpe, Mr. Terimoh Yiukore Esq. commended the Faculty of Education for sustaining the conference over the past decade and expressed confidence that its recommendations would contribute significantly to moral renewal, peaceful coexistence and sustainable economic development in Bayelsa State and across Africa. He observed that the future of every nation depends not only on its natural resources but on the quality of education and values imparted to its citizens.
The opening ceremony also produced broad consensus on key areas requiring urgent attention. Participants emphasised the need to mainstream values, ethics and character education across all levels of the educational system, strengthen conflict resolution and peace education, reposition curricula to promote entrepreneurship and self-reliance, deepen collaboration among governments, educational institutions, parents and development partners, and ensure that conference recommendations are adequately documented, funded and implemented to achieve measurable impact.
The conference continues with technical sessions, panel discussions and paper presentations aimed at generating innovative ideas and practical policy recommendations for repositioning education as a transformative force for moral renewal, peaceful coexistence, entrepreneurial development and sustainable nation-building across Africa.
