Renowned Nigerian political economist and public intellectual, Professor Pat Utomi, has announced a line-up of high-profile intellectual, policy and thanksgiving events to mark his 70th birthday and formal retirement from the Nigerian university system, drawing global scholars, political leaders and business icons to Enugu, Asaba and Lagos in early February.
Utomi, who will turn 70 on February 6, described the milestone as retirement “in the Nigerian university sense,” while noting that he will continue teaching at the Lagos Business School and the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University, Washington.
The week-long programme, fully planned and funded by friends and former mentees, opens on Wednesday, February 4, in Enugu with the retirement edition of the CVL Annual Lecture, a flagship intellectual platform held annually around Utomi’s birthday for decades, Scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Dome of the International Conference Centre, Enugu, the three-part symposium will feature keynote addresses by Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius, and Mr George Elombi, the incoming President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).
Setting the tone for the discussions are Prof. James Robinson, 2024 Nobel Prize winner in Economics, and Prof. Paul Collier, Oxford University economist and former CVL keynote speaker.The panel lineup reflects a blend of political leadership, academic depth and development experience, including Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, former New York Chief Economist Prof. Fred Olayele(joining from Canada), former National Planning Minister Prof. Osita Ogbu, ex-UNIDO Director-General Dr Kandeh Yumkella, and former Ghanaian Trade and Industry Minister Mr Alan Kyerematen.
The Enugu symposium will interrogate the theme: “Why Poverty Persists in Africa: How Did We Fail and What Can Be Done About It?”Activities continue on February 6 in Asaba, where discussions will shift to entrepreneurship in the oil and gas value chain.
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, will deliver the keynote address, while industry leaders including Austin Avuru, Gabriel Ogbechie, Leemon Ikpea and Alfred Okoigun will share reflections from decades of business experience.
A Mass of Thanksgiving will follow at St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Ibusa, after which guests will converge for a celebratory reception at the ranch. The celebrations conclude on Sunday in Lagos with Mass at Falomo, followed by a Testimony Luncheon at Harbor Point.
Utomi, a leading voice on democracy, political economy and African development, expressed delight at the prospect of sharing the milestone with colleagues, former students and friends, describing the events as both a moment of gratitude and a renewed call to ideas, action and service.