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.

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Nigeria governments at all levels and management of tertiary institutions have been urged to make sponsorship of research a priority for effective national development.

Dr Gideon Ezu made the call at the Imo State University on Thursday while delivering a lecture at the 4th International Conference of the Association of Management and Social Sciences Researchers of Nigerian AMSSRN)  

 Dr Ezu charged governments at all levels to make research sponsorship part of their key mandate in order to develop the nation’s academic institutions regarded as hubs for National development.

Dr Ezu who is the Deputy Director, Nnamdi Azikiwe Business School, Awka, also charged members of AMSSRN and research institutions in the country to leverage on the technological innovations to promote their research outputs.

Speaking on the topic, “Issues Involved In Application Of Digital Technology In Research: Nigeria Experience Strategies” he noted that “To foster and facilitate innovation in research, Educational Institutions and Research Institutes must invest heavily in digital technologies (DTs), which most studies have considered to encompass a wide range of information and communication technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, digital platforms, cloud computing, 3D printing, blockchain technology, etc.

“Government at all levels should prioritize sponsoring research to promote national development. This is because no government makes meaningful progress without research. It is therefore imperative that government and management of our tertiary institutions should make research sponsorship part of their key mandate.

“When you go to the European academic institutions, research is sponsored by the government or its agency vested with the mandate because they believe that the product of any research is to enhance national growth. Our leaders need to imbibe this virtue.

“I also urge all of you gathered here for this conference, as a researcher, you should create integrative digital solutions that can connect with other digital systems, develop user-friendly digital systems. Artificial Intelligence is the driver of digital research and AMSSRN should be the pioneers in this regard,” he said.

In his vote of thanks, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Dr Leonard Amaefule, thanked the IMSU Vice-Chancellor for his support and appreciated participants who turned up for the conference.

“On behalf of the LOC members and the AMSSRN Executive, I want to express our gratitude to the management of Imo State University under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Uchefula Ugonna Chukwumaeze (SAN) for his immense support and the AMSSRN leadership championed by indefatigable Professor Lucy Uche Onyekwelu for their inspiration.

“To all the participants and paper presenters, there is no doubt that the conference was knowledge enriching. The two days we spent in IMSU, were productive and we believe that the outcome of the conference will spur us to achieve more through research,” he stated.

In his Keynote Address, the Executive Chairman, Imo State Internal Revenue Service (IIRS) Justice Okoye underscored the urgent need to integrate digital technologies into research and development (R&D) as a driver of economic growth, competitiveness, and sustainable growth.

While acknowledging challenges such as fragmented systems, cybersecurity risks, skill gaps, weak infrastructure, and financial constraints, Justice Okoye also outlined strategies including 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.

The 2025 International Conference had as Keynote Speakers, Justice Okoye, Executive Chairman, Imo State Internal Revenue Service and Professor Bibian Oluchukwu  Njogo, Professor of Corporate Finance/Development Finance, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State.  

The two-day International Conference held between September 3 and 4 also featured Induction of new members as well as award presentation to distinguished Nigerians who have impacted humanity in their various endeavours.

The Lead Paper presenter and Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, IMSU, Prof Ngozi Iheduru highlighted challenges researchers adopting technological innovations in research could face to include: Lack of funds to acquire necessary digital equipment. Inadequate internet connectivity and dearth of essential equipment in universities. Unreliable power supply which prevents the consistent use of digital tools, insufficient training and lack of clear ethical guidelines for data privacy and avoiding biases.

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In its desire to continue to add more value to the society, expand knowledge and its membership, the Association of Management and Social Sciences Researchers of Nigeria (AMSSRN) will in September hold its 4th International Conference at the Imo State University (IMSU) Owerri.

Scheduled to hold at the IMSU Auditorium, the two-day Conference will also feature Induction of new members as well as award presentation to distinguished Nigerians who have impacted humanity in their various endeavours. Participation in the conference will be physical and virtual with international collaborators featuring.

The 4th International Conference of AMSSRN will play host to researchers and participants from the academia, industry, governmental ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in Nigeria. The conference is expected to provide a fertile ground for intellectual cross-breeding and enable strategic collaborations among stakeholders and participants.

Since its inception five years ago, AMSSRN have held Conferences, Public lecture, Seminars and Workshops among others to bridge the gap between the academia (gown) and industry (town) in pursuit of sustainable socio-economic development through Research.

The 2025 International Conference will have as the Keynote Speakers, Justice Okoye, FCA, FCTI, Executive Chairman, Imo State Internal Revenue Service and Professor Bibian Oluchukwu Njogo, PhD, FAMSSRN, Professor of Corporate Finance/ Development Finance, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State.

Anchored on the theme “Integrating Digital Innovation for Research and Development: Issues, Challenges and Strategies”, the Conference will hold between Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4 September, 2025 commencing from 11am each day.

The Registrar of the association, Dr. Aondokaar Kwaghfan is the Chairman Conference Committee, while Dr. Leonard Amaefule is the chairman, Local Organising Committee, LOC

Speaking in an interview, the National President, AMSSRN, Professor Lucy Onyekwelu said the three-in-one event is aimed at adding greater value to the society stressing that while the Conference aims at bringing the industry players and the academia in a table to converse and proffer solutions to social problems affecting the society, The Induction ceremony will usher in new members in the body.

Professor Onyekwelu who was the immediate past Chairman of ICAN Agbani & District Society added that the Award ceremony is part of AMSSRN’s events to honour those who have sacrificed in building a better viable society. She appreciated the IMSU Vice-Chancellor and the Management for their support

“We are organising a two-day International Conference that will also feature induction of new members into the body as well as award presentation to distinguished individuals who have sacrificed a lot in shaping humanity through research and innovations.

“On the induction, we have scholars that will be inducted into Fellowship, Full Membership and Associate Membership categories.
“As for the Merit Award, we have pencilled down notable Academic juggernauts, people who have made mark in research and human capital development, captains of industries cum professionals, policy makers, philanthropist of diverse nature both in Nigeria and diaspora will be accorded different recognitions by the Association.

“Let me also use this opportunity to appreciate the IMSU Vice-Chancellor and his Management for their support. Their approval for us to use the Main Auditorium is deeply appreciated and we look forward to having our guests and participants in Owerri next week,” she said.

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