Maduka University Enugu, ICAN to Partner for Creativity, Industrial Growth, Leadership, Entrepreneurship

Maduka University, Ekwegbe, Nsukka, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) are set to forge a strategic partnership aimed at promoting creativity, industrial growth, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

This was the focus on Wednesday when the President of ICAN, Mallam Haruna Nma Yahaya, led a high-powered delegation to the university to explore collaborative opportunities that would deepen academic excellence and professional relevance.

Yahaya, accompanied by Council members, the Registrar, and other officials of the Institute, was at the university as part of activities marking the 20th Eastern Zonal Accountants’ Conference held at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

Receiving the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor of Maduka University, Professor Charles Ogbulogo, expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and significant for a university he said is “on a journey of discovery” with a clear focus on entrepreneurship, leadership, and national development.

Speaking on the theme “Entrenching Industrial Training at Maduka University,” Ogbulogo emphasized the institution’s commitment to hands-on learning, noting that the university prioritizes practical exposure to prepare students for real-world challenges, alongside the development of both technical and soft skills across diverse fields including publishing, medicine, petroleum, and mechanical industries.

The Vice-Chancellor further highlighted the university’s four cardinal pillars—Academic Excellence, Estate Development, Teaching Hospital, and Industrial Entrepreneurship—while reiterating the vision of the Founder and Chancellor, Dr. Samuel Maduka Onyishi, to positively impact society through education, agriculture, healthcare, and technology.
Ogbulogo stressed the importance of partnering with ICAN, assuring the Institute of the university’s readiness for meaningful collaboration.

He also underscored the need to promote ICAN-related activities on campus to foster creativity, leadership, and entrepreneurial capacity among students.

Commending ICAN for its role in producing highly skilled professionals, he acknowledged the Institute’s contributions to governance, accountability, and national development, pledging the university’s support in encouraging staff and students to actively participate in ICAN programmes as part of its vision to build a purpose-driven institution.

Responding, ICAN President Yahaya expressed appreciation for the warm reception and commended the university’s rapid development, noting that its achievements in infrastructure, learning environment, and institutional integrity within less than three years demonstrate purposeful leadership.

“Maduka University stands as a compelling reminder that impact is not a function of age, but of purpose,” he said, adding that “wealth finds its true meaning when invested in people.”

Yahaya emphasized ICAN’s role as a driver of professionalism, accountability, and transparency, describing the Institute as “a pillar of national development.” He noted a strong alignment between ICAN and Maduka University, particularly in their shared commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation.

He outlined potential areas of collaboration to include curriculum development aligned with global standards, integration of emerging fields such as digital finance, sustainability reporting, and forensic accounting, as well as structured mentorship and industry exposure for students.

The ICAN President also encouraged the university to leverage the Institute’s expertise in areas such as the development of its Accountancy programme, accreditation processes, and broader academic and professional partnerships.