By Ebuka Onyekwelu, PhD
The founder and Chief Executive Officer of Chisco Group, Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, has pledged an endowment of at least ₦1 billion to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Anambra State, to support the development of its Department of Transport Management.
The landmark endowment, scheduled for rollout on Thursday, October 29, 2026, will feature the groundbreaking ceremony for a new departmental building and the maiden Chidi Anyaegbu Annual Lecture, to be delivered by Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti.
The initiative follows the department’s recent accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and is expected to strengthen transport management education by bridging the gap between classroom learning and practical industry experience.
The intervention also reflects Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s advocacy for Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPCP) as a sustainable model for development, alongside his akuluo uno philosophy of encouraging Ndi Anambra to invest in their home state.
Ahead of Thursday’s events, Chief Anyaegbu and his team, including Ifeanyi Ezegamba, Esq.; Hon. Uchenna Ochuba; and Mr Daniel-Scott Ofodeme, visited the university on Tuesday for an on-the-spot assessment of preparations.
Speaking during the visit, COOU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, expressed profound appreciation to Chief Anyaegbu, describing the endowment as a demonstration of the potential of private-sector participation in university development.
She noted that universities could not depend solely on government funding to meet their growing needs, stressing the importance of partnerships with successful individuals and businesses.
“There is no university in the world where the government is left to be the lone source of funding for a university,” she said.
Professor Omenugha described the collaboration between Chisco Group and COOU as a powerful combination of academic knowledge and practical experience, capable of creating lasting opportunities for students.
“The MOU is a marriage of town and gown. This is a legacy he is giving us. Students are going to gain experience, learn and be inspired,” she said.
Explaining the motivation behind the endowment, Chief Anyaegbu said he wanted to combine the practical lessons he acquired through informal, street-level education with the benefits of formal university training to create greater value for society.
The Chisco Group chief executive also emphasised the importance of successful people sharing their life stories honestly to inspire younger generations and encourage them to overcome challenges.
“Telling the story of how you become successful is very important to our young ones,” he said, describing a journey from humble beginnings to success as a “sign of nobility.”
Anyaegbu, who recounted his rise from obscurity to international recognition, urged young people to believe in their potential and remain determined to succeed.
“I came from nowhere and became a renowned person in the world. You too can do it,” he assured.
The businessman expressed confidence in Professor Omenugha’s leadership, saying his decision to support the university was influenced by his belief in her vision and the improvements he had observed.
He also expressed hope that the endowment would encourage other successful Nigerians, particularly those from Anambra State, to invest in the university and contribute to educational development.
“I want this to attract some of our successful people. I am here because of the VC. I have seen a lot of improvements,” he said.
In a further boost to the university’s aviation-related training ambitions, Chief Anyaegbu pledged to provide scholarships for students of the new Department of Transport Management to learn how to fly and maintain aircraft.
The proposed scholarships, alongside the departmental building and annual lecture series, are expected to create new opportunities for students and strengthen the link between university education and the transport industry.
The endowment represents a significant private-sector intervention in higher education in Anambra State, with the potential to inspire similar contributions towards building institutions, developing skills and preparing young people for the world of work.
Tags: Chidi Anyaegbu, COOU, Education
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