Ideas rule the world, says Soludo at UNN lecture

By Vincent Ujumadu

Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has expressed concern over what he described as a growing disconnect between academic research and public policy, stressing that ideas remain the driving force of societal development.

Soludo made the remarks while delivering a lecture at University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), during the 6th Biennial Adada Lecture Series (2026 Edition) organised by the Association of Nsukka Professors (ANP).

In his lecture titled “Our Future in Our Past: Intellectualism and the Making of African Renaissance,” the governor noted that academic discourse appears to have lost influence in national life despite the increasing number of professors and scholarly publications.

He questioned the impact of intellectual output on societal development, urging academics to move beyond theoretical work.

“If you have 200 professors as members, why is the Adada zone not a first world? We should move beyond the walls of the university. We produce journal articles, but how many have become policies? Intellectualism without activism is sterile,” he said.

Soludo emphasized that meaningful progress requires a blend of ideas and practical action, adding that individuals must take responsibility for shaping collective destiny. He also called for “productive intellectualism,” where critical thinking is aligned with public purpose.

Addressing national cohesion, the governor maintained that the interests of the Igbo people are best served within a united and functional Nigeria.

Reflecting on his administration, Soludo said efforts have been made to integrate intellectual ideas into governance through volunteer-driven initiatives, noting that foundations are being laid for a globally competitive economic hub in Anambra State.

He reiterated that nations advance not merely through natural resources, but through ideas that shape institutions, citing historical figures such as Isaac Newton, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Kwame Nkrumah, and Ahmadu Bello as examples of thinkers whose ideas shaped societies.

He challenged academics to embrace both scholarship and action, noting that modern intellectuals must function as thinkers and practitioners.

In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Osita Ogbu, said true academic excellence lies in continuous discovery and the application of knowledge to real-world challenges. “Intellectuals are never satisfied; they keep working,” he said.

Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Simon Ortuanya, described the event as a homecoming for the governor and commended his contributions to governance and public service.

The event concluded with the presentation of an award of excellence to Governor Soludo by the organisers.