It was more than a lecture. It was a symbolic return—a stirring reunion of past and present and a powerful reminder that greatness often begins in the humblest of classrooms.
On Friday, May 30, 2025, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) came alive with emotion and anticipation as it welcomed back one of its most distinguished alumni—Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, Governor of Anambra State. But this was no ordinary homecoming. Soludo returned not only as a globally respected economist and accomplished public servant, but as a proud son of the institution, retracing the familiar steps of a young man who once roamed the same academic boulevards with nothing but dreams and determination.
As he set foot on the campus, memories surged—memories of long nights in dorm rooms, lectures in packed halls, and silent reflections beneath the tall Nsukka trees. “Walking through the familiar paths and boulevards of UNN brought back a flood of memories,” he said with emotion. “I am proud to call this institution my own.”
This nostalgic resonance, however, quickly transformed into purposeful engagement. Professor Soludo was in UNN to deliver a keynote lecture titled “Ethical Leadership, Security, and Sustainable Development,” a theme that couldn’t be more relevant in today’s Nigeria. Addressing a captivated audience of students, scholars, and administrators, he drew from his vast experience—from his tenure as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to his current leadership in Anambra State—to explore how leadership built on moral integrity is not a luxury but a necessity.
His words carried the weight of wisdom earned through service. “Ethical leadership is the foundation upon which peace and prosperity must be built,” he declared. “Our security challenges will persist if leadership continues to lack vision and moral clarity. Sustainable development is not a technical term—it’s a lived experience that requires leaders who can see beyond elections and work for generations.”
Yet, what made the visit even more touching was not just what he said on stage but what he did off it. Soludo made deliberate stops at key places that shaped his journey—especially the Department of Economics, where his academic foundation was laid. There, he interacted directly with students, sharing not only insights but encouragement rooted in reality. His visits to Eni Njoku and Alvan Ikoku Halls, both of which he once called home, were moments of emotional reconnection.
In speaking with current residents of these halls, he was struck by their drive and potential. “I was moved by their passion and potential,” he noted. “They reminded me of my younger self—eager to learn, striving to succeed and dreaming of a better world.”
As the day progressed, it became clear that this was not merely a ceremonial return. Soludo saw the physical and systemic challenges still confronting his alma mater, but he also saw opportunity. The glimmer in his eyes wasn’t just that of nostalgia—it was one of resolve. “As I looked around, I saw the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I made a commitment to myself to do more for my alma mater, to help unlock its full potential.”
In those few words lay a powerful pledge—not just to the institution, but to the generations it continues to nurture. He didn’t stop there. He issued a rallying cry to fellow alumni scattered across the globe: “To all my fellow Lions and Lionesses out there, let’s roar together to rescue our beloved ‘Lions Den’ and take UNN to greater heights!”
By the time the event concluded and the shadows lengthened across the sprawling campus, what had transpired was more than just a lecture. It was a rekindling of legacy, a transmission of purpose, and a call to action. In Governor Soludo’s presence, students didn’t just see a politician—they saw a reflection of what they could become. In his words, they didn’t just hear advice—they heard a challenge to lead with courage and conscience.
As the university community bid him farewell, one thing was certain: Soludo’s footsteps at UNN that day would echo for a long time—not just across its grounds, but in the hearts of every young Lion and Lioness who now knows that greatness, rooted in ethics, is not only possible—it is expected.
