By Amaechi Agbo

Recently at the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, experts converged to assess Association of Management and Social Sciences Researchers of Nigeria, (AMSSRN’s) significant progress in facilitating sustainable economic development across the continent.

The gathering was the fourth edition of the researchers’ two-day International Conference held inside the main Auditorium of the IMSU in September in juxtaposition with AMSSRN’s vision of becoming a world- class innovation body that will continue to stimulate, galvanize and co-ordinate researches among management and social scientists, so as to support sustainable socio-economic development in Nigeria and beyond.

The 4th International Conference held from 3rd – 4th of September, 2025 with the theme “Integrating Digital Innovations for Research & Development: Issues, Challenges and Strategies” was organized to bring the vision of the association to bear within Imo State through Imo State University, Owerri.

It was graced by hundreds of participants who attended physically while others who from within and outside Nigeria joined virtually. Some of the key participants included the Vice-Chancellor of IMSU, Professor Uchefula Ugonna Chukwumaeze, SAN; AMSSRN National President, Professor Uche Lucy Onyekwelu, PhD; other National Executives: Professor Israel Omesi (Chairman, AMSSRN Port Harcourt & District Society), Dr. Ada-Mac Ozigbo, Dr. Godwin Akparhuere, Dr. .Lawrence U. Okoye. Others were Professor Luke Chukwu; the Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council represented by the Coordinating Director, Inspections, Monitoring and Corporate Governance Directorates, Dr. Titus Osawe; the Former Coordinating Director of International Financial Reporting Standards and Sustainability Reporting; the Keynote Speakers (Industry) and from the Academia, Mr. Justice Okoye – the Executive Chairman, Imo State Internal Revenue Service, as well as Professor Bibiana Njogo, member Governing Council of Bells University Ota, Ogun State along with recipients of the Association’s Distinguished Personality Awards and other Academics and Scholars from within the Higher Institutions and Industries in Nigeria and Post-Graduate and Undergraduate students all brainstormed on the relevance of research in modern day governance as a fulcrum in achieving socioeconomic rebirth.

Six Guest Lecturers including Justice Okoye, FCA, FCTI (Industry), Executive Chairman, Imo State Internal Revenue Service; Prof. Bibiana Oluchukwu Njogo; Prof. Ngozi Gertrude Iheduru (Lead Paper Presenter, Dean Faculty of Management Sciences IMSU); Dr. Iheanyi Anyahara, FCA (Former Coordinating Director of International Financial Reporting Standards and Sustainability Reporting of Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria;  Dr. Ada–Mac Ozigbo (Director of Common Wealth Executive Masters Programme, National Open University of Nigeria) and Dr. Gideon Ezu (Deputy Dean, UNIZIK Business School) featured in the conference

At the end of the Conference, the experts highlighted inter alia, the urgent need to integrate digital technologies into research and development (R&D) as a driver of economic growth, competitiveness, and sustainable growth and progress and advised that the transformative role of technological tools such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, and Internet of Things (IoT) in enabling faster discoveries, evidence-based policymaking, and enhanced collaboration cannot be downplayed.

They emphasised accountability as a vehicle to drive good governance both in the academic and industry by strengthening the anti-corruption agencies and institutions in Nigeria.

While acknowledging challenges such as fragmented systems, cyber security risks, skill gaps, weak infrastructure, and financial constraints, experts at the MASSRN’s 4th International Conference called for adoption strategies such as the adoption of a clear digital roadmap, investment in human capital, stronger data governance, public-private partnerships, and embedding digital tools in governance and service delivery that must be embraced.

A future where Imo State and Nigeria as a whole harness digital innovation for transparent, inclusive, and efficient systems that directly improve governance and socio-economic development should be envisioned.

They urged researchers and indeed all stakeholders to embrace digital integration not as a luxury, but as a necessity for long-term productivity and prosperity.

Established in 2020, the Association of Management and Social Sciences Researchers of Nigeria (AMSSRN) is a research-driven association borne out of the vision to build a collaborative approach between the academia and industry towards providing solutions to the gross socio-economic challenges bedevilling Nigeria in particular and the African continent in general.

Thus, AMSSRN pursues the vision of becoming a world- class innovation body that will continue to stimulate, galvanize and co-ordinate researches among management and social scientists, so as to support sustainable socio-economic development in Nigeria and beyond. Consequently, the association is given to continuously organizing well-coordinated programmes aimed at enhancing goal-driven research among academia and industry, one of which is the 4th international conference.