…..makes endowment of ten million naira to the best graduating students of Political Science
From Ijeoma John, Nnewi
The founder and Chairman of the Olisa Metuh Initiative, Chief Olisa Metuh has on Thursday July 24, 2025 called for urgent political party reforms in Nigeria.
He made this call during the maiden International Conference of the Department of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Chief Metuh,the Keynote speaker, who spoke extensively on the theme, ”Africa at Crossroads: Confronting Governance, Security and Development Challenges in the 21st Century”,said without institutionalizing Nigeria’s political parties, good governance, security and real development would not be achieved.
He noted that strong institutions, especially political parties remained vital for sustainable development,adding that Nigeria’s political parties lack the depth and maturity to stabilize governance.
“Adopting multi-party systems in many African countries, including Nigeria had failed to achieve the development gains expected,even elder statemen like Obasanjo and Mbeki questioned if western democracy models can truly work for Africa without internal reforms” he disclosed.
Chief Metuh enumerated what he coined as “Metuh Doctrine for Party Institutionalization” as: restoring political parties ideological frameworks, enforcing manifestos, banning political defections, institutionalizing zoning, reforming party fundings, and educating the public on ideology, manifestos, and political accountability to deepen civic engagement.
He further identified some weaknesses that breed instability, distrust, and poor governance Nigeria’s political parties face;as ideological emptiness,constant defections,poor funding structures, and lack of programmatic discipline.
However, he endowed a chair of ten million naira to political science department,which according to him would given to the best graduating students of the department annually for ten years.
On behalf of the Political Science department and University, the Ag. Vice Chancellor, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi appreciated him for the gesture and acknowledged Metuh’s cont ributions to societal and educational growth.
She hailed Chief Metuh as a mentor to many great people and presented a plaque of honour to him.