Ebonyi’s Brain Trust: Time to Mobilize the Professors for Development

Ebonyi State is sitting on a goldmine of intellectual capital. With over 130 professors of Ebonyi origin across diverse fields—ranging from engineering, law, education, health sciences, technology, and governance—the state has more than enough scholarly firepower to drive transformative policies, reform its education system, and reposition its development trajectory. Yet, this resource remains largely underutilized in the planning and administration of the state.

In an age when countries and sub-national governments are racing to adopt knowledge-based models of development, Ebonyi’s failure to deliberately harness the insights and expertise of its scholars is a missed opportunity—one that must be corrected if the state is to attain meaningful and sustainable progress.

We believe that the time has come for the Ebonyi State Government to formally integrate its academic elite into the machinery of governance. This integration can begin with the establishment of a State Council of Scholars or a Policy and Research Advisory Council, comprising select professors with proven track records. Such a body can serve as a non-partisan think tank to the governor and executive council, tasked with conducting independent research, offering expert policy reviews, and shaping development blueprints based on empirical evidence—not political expediency.

Policy-making in Ebonyi must evolve beyond reactionary governance. Whether it is in urban planning, agricultural modernization, climate adaptation, health system reform, or revenue generation, decisions must be anchored in research and data. Professors in relevant fields can provide this intellectual backbone. For example, public health experts can lead efforts in preventive healthcare and rural health infrastructure, while economists and development specialists can design frameworks for increasing internally generated revenue (IGR) without crippling the people through taxation.

Education, a core area of concern, would also benefit immensely. Ebonyi may have made strides in expanding access to schools, but quality remains questionable. Professors should be enlisted in curriculum design, teacher training, and academic policy reforms. A “Scholars in Schools” initiative—where professors from Ebonyi volunteer or are invited to teach masterclasses, mentor students, and train teachers—could help inspire excellence in public education. Beyond that, they can strengthen research and development units in state-owned tertiary institutions, making them more responsive to local challenges.

Professors must also be seen not only as educators but as strategic thinkers. Their role in long-term state planning cannot be overstated. The Ebonyi State Government should explore the creation of an institution akin to a State Institute for Strategic Development and Policy Innovation—a permanent body driven by academic experts, with the mandate to develop masterplans in digital innovation, environmental resilience, industrialization, and legal reform.

Furthermore, the state must develop a Diaspora Scholars Engagement Framework to tap into the wealth of Ebonyi-born professors working abroad. Through periodic lectureships, policy consultations, and project-based contracts, these scholars can contribute meaningfully to the home they may have left physically but not intellectually.

Crucially, the mentoring capacity of this academic class must be leveraged. A new generation of Ebonyi leaders must be groomed in critical thinking, civic ethics, and global competence. Professors are in a prime position to build this leadership pipeline, particularly at the grassroots level where political awareness and civic education are still dangerously low.

What Ebonyi needs now is not just more infrastructure—but a smarter approach to building the future. The professors are already here. Their expertise is real. Their patriotism is proven. The only thing lacking is the political will to bring them to the table of governance.

If the state must rise beyond cosmetic development and momentary applause, it must begin to value and institutionalize intellectual contributions. Ebonyi must build its future on the foundation of knowledge—not guesswork, rhetoric, or cronyism.

The time to act is now. The professors are ready. Is the government listening?

Partial Roll Call of Ebonyi Professors:

Prof. Fidelis Ogah, Prof. Francis Idike, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, Prof. Sunday Elom, Prof. Nnenna Otti, Prof. Afam Icha-Ituma, Prof. Michael Awoke, Prof. Francis Otunta, Prof. Eugene Nweke, Prof. Fidelis Okpata, Prof. Grace Umezurike, Prof. Friday Nweke, Prof. Jesse Uneke, Prof. Ozo Nweke Ozo, Prof. Chuks Edeogu, Prof. Kelechi Akuma, Prof. Chinedu Akuma, Prof. Basil Onwe, Prof. Joshua Nweke, Prof. Mike Otuma, Prof. Suleiman Ogah, Prof. Paulinus Nnabo, Prof. Daniel Igba, Prof. Bene Okezie, Prof. Elizabeth Igba, Prof. Onyebuchi Igwe, Prof. Paul Igwe, Prof. Friday Nwalo, Prof. James Nwite, Prof. Emmanuel Uchewa, Prof. Elisha Elom, Prof. Joseph Afiukwa, Prof. Celestine Afiukwa, Prof. Ifeanyi Nwigboji, Prof. Anthony Itumo, Prof. Chikwado Opefi, Prof. Amos Nworie, Prof. Emeka Nwakpu, Prof. Ann Nwigboji, Prof. Kenneth Nwekpa, Prof. Chuks Ogbaga, Prof. Benneth Mbam, Prof. B.C.E Mbam, Prof. Patience Nnenna Onu, Prof. Kieran Ezike, Prof. Jonathan Alimba, Prof. Donatus Onu, Prof. Emmanuel Okporie, Prof. M.C. Ekwe, Prof. Happiness Oselebe, Prof. Emeka Utobo, Prof. Chima Njoku, Prof. Emmanuel Otti, Prof. Emmanuel Ude, Prof. Michael Odo, Prof. Helen Njoku, Prof. Amaechi Ngwu, Prof. Anthony Afoke, Prof. Florence Otta, Prof. Silas Omebe, Prof. Emmanuel Akuma, Prof. Paul Nwobasi, Prof. Christian Oduma, Prof. Chinyere Omebe, Prof. Nwite Onuma, Prof. Nonye Azih, Prof. Sunday Aja, Prof. Uzoma Aja-Okorie, Prof. Paul Nwakpa, Prof. Samuel Eze, Prof. Eucharia Nwafor, Prof. Onele Adali, Prof. Ijeoma Eze, Prof. Dan Enyi, Prof. Ekumankama Onu, Prof. Ndubuisi Idenyi, Prof. Amari Omaka, SAN, Prof. Matthew Nwocha, Prof. Michael Aja Nwachukwu, Prof. Egwu U. Egwu, Prof. Sunday Onwe, Prof. Ike Elechi, Prof. Festus Ogiji, Prof. Sunday Nwite, Prof. Okechukwu Okogwu, Prof. Christiana Ani, Prof. Ogbonnaya Ogbu, Prof. Kingsley Agbafor, Prof. Udu Ama Ibiam, Prof. Kingsley Ukwuaja, Prof. Hilary Eze, Prof. Sylvester Ngele, Prof. John Igidi, Prof. Wilberforce Oti, Prof. Clementina Igwebuike-Ossi, Prof. Henry Adagba, Prof. Godwin Agbo, Prof. Peter Agbo, Prof. Daniel Onah, Prof. Clement Mgbada, Prof. Samuel Ituma, Prof. Humphrey Nwobasi, Prof. Hyginus Aligwe, Prof. D.M. Nwogbaga, Prof. Ann Eze, Prof. F.U. Ulo, Prof. Daniel Nwibo, Prof. Philip Omoke, Prof. Rev. Donatus Njoku, Prof. Uche Azikiwe, Prof. Emeka Otagburuagu, Prof. Henry Urochukwu, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Prof. Anthony Okpani, Prof. Austin Chukwu, Prof. Sen. Anthony Ani, Prof. Sunday Agwu, Prof. Ojemba Isu-Oko, Prof. Isaac Nwankwo, Prof. Christiana Chukwu, Prof. J.A. Uraku, Prof. Aja Akpuru Aja, Prof. Boniface Mbam, Prof. Emmanuel Echuegu, Prof. Nkechi Echiegu, Prof. Peter Okorie, Prof. John Eke, Prof. Adeline Idike, Prof. Adaeze Nwuzo, Prof. Joseph Nkwede, Prof. Jerome Orji, Prof. Chibueze Igwe, Prof. Agwu Ekwe, Prof. Nnanna Agwu, Prof. Steve Egbo, Prof. Ben Odoh, Prof. Jonathan Aliede.

These names represent more than academic accomplishments — they are a living archive of wisdom and solutions. The time to connect Ebonyi’s governance to its intellectual vanguard is long overdue. If the state is to truly rise, it must be powered by ideas, expertise, and vision — all of which reside in its scholars.