Anambra University Secures ₦740 Million EU Grant to Revolutionise Accounting Education and Employability in Africa

 

The Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) has achieved a groundbreaking feat with the award of a ₦740 million research grant from the European Union under the highly competitive Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) programme. This milestone marks the first time COOU is receiving such recognition from the EU, reflecting its emerging position in the global academic and research landscape.

The grant will support a project titled “Enhancing Employability of Accounting Graduates in Uganda and Nigeria by Integrating Employability Skills into Accounting Education using Work-Integrated Learning Approach” (DESIRED). Aimed at tackling the pressing issue of youth unemployment and the mismatch between academic training and workforce requirements, DESIRED will be executed over a 24-month period and involves collaboration across four countries.

Guided by the “3Vs Agenda” — Values, Viability, and Visibility — the Acting Vice-Chancellor of COOU, Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, FNIPR, has been instrumental in steering the university toward this international spotlight. Her leadership has driven transformative initiatives that align the university’s vision with global best practices in research and academic delivery.

The DESIRED project targets over 3,000 students and staff members across Nigeria and Uganda, focusing on equipping accounting graduates with hands-on, industry-ready skills. Central to this goal is the integration of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) into the accounting curriculum. Through this model, students will gain real-world exposure, participate in internships, and build professional identities early in their academic journey.

The project’s consortium is composed of eight distinguished institutions. Nigeria is represented by COOU and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), while Uganda contributes through MAT ABACUS Business School and Makerere University Business School (MUBS). From Europe, the participating institutions include Universidade de Lisboa (Portugal), Stichting VU (Netherlands), and the Uganda Chapter for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), alongside consulting firm Sejjaaka Kaawaase & Co.

Collaboration among these partners will drive core activities such as curriculum reform, quality assurance in WIL practices, enhanced academic-industry linkages, and capacity-building exchanges through staff and student mobility. These initiatives will not only enrich academic programs but also deepen institutional partnerships between Africa and Europe.

Recognition of this achievement also extends to Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, the Governor of Anambra State and Visitor to the University. His administration’s Solution Agenda has placed education at the heart of state development, promoting innovation, excellence, and global engagement in the higher education sector. His commitment to institutional growth and internationalisation has been a key enabler for COOU’s rising profile.

The road to securing this prestigious grant has been paved by deliberate and strategic actions. Early in 2024, COOU’s leadership inaugurated a 16-member Research Management Office (RMO) to champion the university’s research ambitions and global outreach. This team has since been pivotal in identifying funding opportunities and coordinating international applications.

A significant turning point came on 28 February 2024, when COOU organised an international workshop titled “Deepening COOU’s International Agenda: The Erasmus+ and Other Pathways.” The event brought together local and foreign stakeholders, laying the groundwork for future collaborations. Soon after, the university engaged in diplomatic dialogues with the Polish Ambassador to Nigeria and key representatives from the EU Embassy in Abuja, reinforcing COOU’s intention to expand its international networks.

On March 8, 2024, another crucial step was taken when COOU officially registered on the European Commission Funding and Tenders Portal (ECFTP). This qualification opened the doors to a broader range of EU-funded initiatives and established COOU as a serious player in the international academic space.

The DESIRED project represents more than just financial support. It serves as a transformative platform for long-term educational reform, workforce empowerment, and global institutional relevance. It is also a strong endorsement of COOU’s strategic vision, positioning the university to play a leadership role in bridging the skills gap across Africa.

With implementation set to commence, expectations are high for the tangible outcomes this collaboration will produce. From improved curricula and quality benchmarks to meaningful partnerships with industry, the DESIRED initiative promises to elevate not just the employability of accounting graduates, but the overall academic and research culture at COOU and its partner institutions.

This achievement signals a defining chapter in COOU’s journey, one that reflects resilience, vision, and a bold commitment to global excellence.