ICRITR Marks Historic Milestone with Commissioning of Its Permanent Home at Nnamdi Azikiwe University
The Professor Ngozi Egbuna International Centre for Regional Integration and Trade Research (ICRITR), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has officially entered a new era with the commissioning of its state-of-the-art permanent facility, reaffirming its commitment to advancing scholarship, policy research, and regional economic integration across Africa.
The landmark commissioning ceremony, held on Thursday, 16 July 2026, was performed by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Barr. Olugbenga Kukoyi, who described the Centre as a remarkable achievement that reflects visionary leadership, resilience, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. He expressed confidence that ICRITR would serve as a leading continental platform for research, innovation, policy dialogue, and strategic partnerships that will shape Africa’s economic future.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, described the commissioning as a defining milestone in the University’s drive towards academic excellence, globally impactful research, and international relevance. He noted that the Centre represents far more than a physical structure; it is a strategic investment designed to position the University as a centre of excellence in regional integration, international trade policy, industrial development, digital trade, and research supporting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to the Vice-Chancellor, ICRITR provides an intellectual platform where researchers, policymakers, governments, development institutions, and the private sector can collaborate to generate evidence-based solutions that address Africa’s evolving economic challenges. He emphasized that while infrastructure is essential, it is the quality of ideas, research, and people nurtured within such institutions that ultimately transform societies.
Prof. Anyaehie expressed profound appreciation to Afreximbank for its generous financial support towards the construction of the Centre. He also acknowledged the invaluable contributions of former Vice-Chancellors Prof. Charles Esimone, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, and Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi—whose successive administrations sustained the vision and ensured its successful completion. He further commended the Director of ICRITR, Professor Ngozi Egbuna, alongside the Building Project Committee, the Physical Planning Unit, and the contractors for delivering a world-class research facility, while calling on governments, development partners, and corporate organisations to partner with the Centre in expanding its research, capacity-building, and policy impact.
Delivering her welcome address, the Director of ICRITR, Professor Ngozi Egbuna, described the occasion as the fulfilment of a long-standing vision inspired by a passion for promoting Africa’s economic transformation through knowledge, research, and innovation.
She explained that the Centre represents not merely the completion of a building but the establishment of an institution dedicated to producing high-quality research, influencing public policy, strengthening regional integration, and developing future leaders equipped to address the continent’s developmental priorities. Reflecting on the journey, she recounted the challenges, sacrifices, and moments of uncertainty encountered during the execution of the project, describing its successful completion as a testament to resilience, perseverance, and divine faithfulness.
Professor Egbuna expressed heartfelt appreciation to the University Management, successive Vice-Chancellors, Afreximbank, the Governing Council, the Building Project Committee, the Physical Planning Unit, the Works Department, contractors, colleagues, friends, and numerous well-wishers whose collective support transformed the vision into reality. She expressed optimism that ICRITR would continue to evolve into a globally recognised centre of excellence for regional integration and trade research, producing innovative ideas, influencing policy, and contributing practical solutions to Africa’s economic development.
Representing Afreximbank, the Manager, Client Relations, Anglophone West African Region, Mrs. Obioma Iweka, congratulated the University and ICRITR on the successful commissioning of the Centre, describing it as a strategic investment in knowledge creation, policy development, and human capital development. She reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting institutions that advance intra-African trade and disclosed plans to deepen collaboration with ICRITR through joint research initiatives, capacity-building programmes, internship opportunities, faculty sabbaticals, and the annual Afreximbank-sponsored lecture series.
The commissioning ceremony attracted an impressive gathering of distinguished personalities from academia, government, traditional institutions, development organisations, and the private sector, including members of the University’s Governing Council, principal officers, representatives of the traditional institution, industry stakeholders, and pioneer students of the Centre. Guests unanimously described ICRITR as a transformative institution whose contributions will significantly enhance research excellence, policy innovation, and Africa’s sustainable economic development.
