The event, described by organisers as both a celebration and reflection on national development priorities, will feature high-level discussions on ethics, education reform, and leadership in a rapidly changing digital era. Central themes include “Reviving Values in a Digital Age” and “Ethical Leadership for National Development,” underscoring growing concern about moral decline amid technological disruption and shifting social norms.
A landmark celebration of academic legacy
Professor Nduka, who has been recognised by Nigeria’s National Universities Commission (NUC) as a Distinguished Professor of the Century and previously served as President of the Nigeria Academy of Education, is being honoured for a lifetime dedicated to intellectual development, moral instruction, and nation-building.
His 100th birthday celebration is expected to draw senior figures from academia, government, industry, and civil society, reflecting what organisers describe as his cross-generational influence on education policy and ethical discourse in Nigeria.
High-profile participation and national reflection
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, is scheduled to attend as Special Guest of Honour, while Rivers State Governor Siminialayi Fubara will serve as Chief Host. The gathering will also feature a keynote address by former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, who will speak on “Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values Education in Nigeria.”
Moghalu’s address is expected to examine the erosion of ethical standards in public life and education systems, while advocating reforms that prioritise integrity, critical thinking, and cultural grounding as essential pillars of national development.
Legal expert and former Attorney General of the Federation, Dr. Kanu Agabi (SAN), is also expected to contribute reflections drawn from his extensive public service career.
Launch of education endowment fund
A major highlight of the centenary will be the unveiling of the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education Endowment Fund, aimed at raising ₦5 billion to support scholarships, teacher training, and research centres focused on values education across Nigerian universities.
The initiative is being led by Engr. Grant Offor, Chairman of the Ramec Group of Companies, who will serve as Chief Launcher. Organisers say the fund represents a growing collaboration between the private sector and academia in addressing long-term educational challenges.
A legacy rooted in moral and intellectual reform
Professor Nduka, who earned his doctorate from the University of Ibadan and held academic positions at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is credited with pioneering values education in post-colonial Africa.
His influential works, including The Foundations of Social Order and Ethics in Education, helped shape curriculum thinking around the integration of moral philosophy with both science and humanities education. Over decades, he has also mentored policymakers and education leaders across Nigeria, leaving a lasting imprint on debates around ethics, governance, and institutional reform.
As preparations intensify, the centenary is being framed not only as a tribute to an individual scholar, but also as a broader national conversation on the role of values in education and leadership in contemporary Nigeria.