UNIZIK Unveils 2026–2031 Strategic Plan, Targets Top 5 in Nigeria, Top 20 in Africa
By Nkiru Anakor
The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, has unveiled the university’s 2026–2031 Strategic Development Plan, setting an ambitious goal of making the institution the leading federal university in South-East Nigeria. The VC disclosed this on Sept 7, while unveiling the five-year strategic roadmap, which also targets positioning UNIZIK among the top five universities in Nigeria and the top 20 in Africa by 2031.
The plan, themed “A Greater UNIZIK is Possible,” is designed to provide a coordinated and practical framework for addressing some of the challenges facing the institution while creating a clear path for sustainable development over the next five years.
Prof. Anyaehie identified some of the challenges as unstable electricity supply, fragmented digital infrastructure, overcrowding in classrooms and laboratories, delays in the installation of procured equipment and financial constraints arising from the centralisation of resources. He said a major focus of the strategic plan would be the transformation of teaching and learning through the Academic Excellence and Curriculum Transformation pillar.
According to him, the university will strengthen implementation of the NUC Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), expand digital and flexible learning opportunities, improve accreditation preparedness and ensure that its academic programmes remain responsive to emerging industry and labour-market demands. The VC said research and innovation would also occupy a central position in the university’s development agenda.
He explained that under the Research Excellence, Innovation and Knowledge Translation pillar, UNIZIK would promote applied research, address procurement and equipment-installation challenges, strengthen intellectual property protection and create better opportunities for commercialising research discoveries.
Prof. Anyaehie added that the university plans to establish specialised research hubs focusing on clean energy and artificial intelligence to strengthen its contribution to technological advancement and the resolution of contemporary societal challenges.
On international visibility, he said the administration would implement an aggressive Global Visibility, Rankings and Internationalisation Programme aimed at improving the university’s global digital presence and ranking performance.
He said the programme would also include the establishment of dedicated international admissions structures, publication funding support for researchers and the hosting of international conferences to attract scholars and institutions from around the world. The VC further disclosed that the smart university agenda would drive the institution’s digital transformation.
He said UNIZIK would progressively develop a digitally connected campus through high-speed internet infrastructure, a learning management system, smart security systems, expanded e-governance and modern digital media production facilities. Prof. Anyaehie expressed confidence that the implementation of the strategic plan would help transform UNIZIK into a more competitive, innovative and globally recognised institution by 2031.
