Legal luminary and business mogul, Chief Barrister Success Akagburuonye, has urged all tiers of government to prioritise economic freedom and educational empowerment as indispensable tools for achieving “true national sovereignty”.
Delivering the keynote address as Guest Speaker at the inaugural Nnamdi Azikiwe Memorial Lecture (NAML) held on November 14, 2025 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Akagburuonye spoke on the theme: “The Nnamdi Azikiwe Political Philosophy: Lessons for Good Governance and Development”.
A Living Blueprint from Zik’s Life and Legacy
Reflecting on the life and journey of the great Zik of Africa, beginning from his birth in Zungeru, Akagburuonye declared that: “Azikiwe’s life is not just history; it is a living blueprint for governance and development rooted in moral uprightness, national unity, and social justice”.
He emphasised that Zik’s philosophical base is intricately tied to sustainable development and good governance, both of which, he argued, can only thrive under leadership that is “honest, inclusive, and committed to the collective good”.
According to him: “Sustainability and justice have an intimate relationship such that a change in one accentuates or reinforces the other”.
Zik’s Governance Principles: A Guide for Today
Akagburuonye outlined the late statesman’s leadership approaches, particularly those aimed at fostering unity and driving development—programmes that encouraged local entrepreneurship, protected nascent industries, and promoted economic self-reliance.
He stressed the enduring relevance of Zik’s values: “Azikiwe’s philosophy is that leadership rooted in integrity, patriotism, and service can transform nations. As citizens, we are responsible for demanding accountability. As leaders, we must emulate the virtues he exemplified—serving with humility, fairness, and a vision for a united Nigeria”.
The legal expert added that many of the country’s current challenges could have been avoided had Nigeria embraced Zik’s political philosophy earlier.
In his words: “The current landscape—marked by corruption, ethnic tensions, economic challenges, and questions of national identity would have been averted. From his lifetime of service, several core principles emerged, principles that must guide Nigeria today”.
Voices from the Academia and Statesmanship
The Chief Host, Vice Chancellor of UNN,
Prof. Simon Ortuanya, represented by Prof. Anthony Attamah, commended the Faculty of the Social Sciences for initiating the lecture and expressed hope that it would become a lasting tradition.
The event chairman, Chief Nnia Nwodo, former President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, offered a nostalgic historical insight, sharing that his father, Chief John Nwodo, played a key role in helping Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe establish the University of Nigeria.
The Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Chidi Nzeadibe, affirmed that the NAML would be held biennially to continually preserve Azikiwe’s legacy in public consciousness.
A new book documenting the Faculty’s history from 1960 to 2025, edited by Chidi Nzeadibe, Jeff Unaegbu, and Obiora Anichebe, was reviewed by Prof. Chukwuedozie Ajaero, who praised the editors for producing “an intensively detailed work”.
A Gathering of Scholars, Custodians of History, and Living Witnesses
Among the dignitaries present was Professor Emeritus Uche Azikiwe, wife of the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, along with prominent scholars and national figures. Many attendees described the lecture as a long-awaited platform for re-examining and reinvigorating the legacy of one of Africa’s greatest statesmen.