ENUGU, Nigeria – The Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, witnessed a remarkable gathering of distinguished alumni, management staff, industry leaders, government officials, and stakeholders as the institution hosted its 2026 Alumni Homecoming at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
The event, which attracted alumni from across Nigeria and the diaspora, served as a platform for reflection on the institution's rich history, celebration of its achievements, and renewed commitment towards its future development.
Speaking at the event, the National President of the IMT Alumni Association, Mazi Dr. Agodi Kanu, described the 2026 Alumni Homecoming as a historic gathering that symbolizes the enduring bond between the Institute and its graduates across generations. He commended the Rector, Prof. Gozie Sunday Ogbodo, and the management of the Institute for creating an enabling environment that has rekindled alumni interest in the affairs of their alma mater. According to him, the homecoming was not only an opportunity for reunion and celebration but also a platform for charting a new course of partnership and collaboration aimed at advancing the growth and development of IMT.
Dr. Kanu reiterated the commitment of the Alumni Association to supporting the institution through mentorship programmes, infrastructure development initiatives, scholarship schemes, career opportunities for students, and strategic engagements with industry stakeholders. He urged alumni at home and in the diaspora to remain actively involved in the affairs of the Institute, stressing that the collective strength, expertise, and resources of IMT graduates remain critical to the realization of the institution's vision of becoming a globally competitive centre of excellence in technological and management education. He expressed optimism that the renewed spirit of unity demonstrated during the homecoming would usher in a new era of progress and sustainable development for the Institute. The high point of his speech was the announcement of the award of scholarship to fourteen students from the six academic faculties in the Institute.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were former National President of the IMT Alumni Association and current member of the Board of Trustees, Dr. George Moghalu; member of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Mrs. Anthonia Ekwo; President of Masters Energy Group and member of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Uche Sampson Ogah, FCA, OON, CON, who also delivered the keynote lecture and made a donation of 10 million naira to support the association; as well as several distinguished alumni, captains of industry, government officials, traditional rulers, academic leaders, and other notable personalities from across the country.In his keynote address, the Rector of IMT, Prof. Gozie Sunday Ogbodo, described the homecoming as more than a reunion, noting that it was a celebration of heritage, a reflection on the institution's journey, and a reaffirmation of collective commitment to its future.
According to the Rector, IMT has remained one of Nigeria's foremost institutions of higher learning for over five decades, producing graduates who have excelled in business, industry, public service, engineering, technology, entrepreneurship, academia, media, and other sectors.
Prof. Ogbodo paid glowing tribute to the institution's founding fathers, particularly the pioneer Rector, Prof. Mark Chijioke, whose visionary leadership laid the administrative and academic foundation upon which the institution continues to thrive.
The Rector highlighted the achievements of his administration aimed at repositioning the institution for the demands of a rapidly changing global educational landscape.
He disclosed that the Institute had embarked on extensive infrastructural renewal and campus modernization programmes, strengthened academic quality assurance mechanisms, expanded staff development opportunities, enhanced digitalization of academic and administrative processes, and promoted innovation and entrepreneurship among students.
One of the major highlights of his address was the announcement that IMT recently secured accreditation for nine new academic programmes, including National Diploma in Law, Computer Engineering, Taxation, and other disciplines, all receiving full accreditation status for the next five years.
Prof. Ogbodo explained that the development has increased the institution's programme offerings from forty-nine to fifty-eight, thereby expanding opportunities for students and enhancing the institution's academic profile.
The Rector also emphasized the institution's new strategic vision encapsulated in the slogan, "One Diploma, One Skill," which seeks to ensure that every graduate leaves IMT not only with academic qualifications but also with practical, market-relevant skills capable of driving entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
While acknowledging the progress made so far, Prof. Ogbodo stressed that much remains to be done and called on alumni to become active partners in the institution's transformation agenda.
He urged graduates to support mentorship programmes, provide internship and employment opportunities for students, contribute towards infrastructure development, fund scholarships for indigent students, and serve as ambassadors of the institution wherever they may be.
"The future of IMT cannot be built by management alone. It requires the active participation of every stakeholder, especially our alumni who carry the IMT identity into every sphere of society," he stated.
In a separate keynote lecture titled "Alumni as the Mirrors and Ambassadors of Their Alma Mater," President of Masters Energy Group, Dr. Uche Sampson Ogah, FCA, OON, CON, challenged alumni to recognize their strategic role in shaping the reputation and future of their institution.
Reflecting on his own journey from a young student at IMT to becoming one of Nigeria's leading entrepreneurs and industrialists, Dr. Ogah described IMT as the institution that laid the foundation for his professional success.
He recalled the challenges and experiences of his student days, noting that beyond academic learning, IMT helped shape his character, resilience, leadership capacity, and entrepreneurial mindset.
Dr. Ogah observed that every alumnus serves as a living reflection of the institution's quality and values.
According to him, the competence, integrity, and achievements of graduates directly influence public perception of their alma mater.
"When people meet us in business, government, academia, or public service, they see IMT. Our competence reflects its academic quality. Our integrity reflects its values. Our success or failure reflects its relevance," he stated.
He challenged alumni to conduct what he termed a "Mirror Test" by assessing whether their personal conduct, leadership style, business ethics, and civic engagement would inspire prospective students and parents to choose IMT.
The former Minister stressed that alumni must move beyond being passive beneficiaries of the institution to becoming active ambassadors who create opportunities for students and support institutional advancement.
He advocated increased alumni participation in mentorship, internships, industry partnerships, advocacy, scholarship support, and strategic networking.
Addressing the issue of institutional funding, Dr. Ogah noted that government interventions alone may not be sufficient to meet the growing demands of modern higher education.
He called on graduates to contribute financially towards the development of the institution, emphasizing that sustainable alumni giving remains one of the major factors responsible for the success of leading universities around the world.
To strengthen alumni engagement, Dr. Ogah proposed the establishment of three major initiatives: an IMT Alumni Endowment Trust, an IMT Career Bridge Programme, and an IMT Excellence Fund dedicated to staff development, research support, and critical infrastructure projects.
He further advocated the transformation of the Alumni Association into a strategic development institution with a permanent secretariat, robust database, active regional and international chapters, annual fundraising programmes, and digital platforms that would connect alumni globally.
Dr. Ogah described the Alumni Homecoming as a defining moment for graduates of the institution and urged them to embrace collective responsibility for IMT's future.
"We must move from asking what IMT can do for us to asking what we can do for IMT. We must move from beneficiaries to benefactors, from recipients to stewards," he said.
He concluded by calling on all alumni to become mirrors that reflect excellence, ambassadors who expand the institution's influence, and stewards who secure its future for generations yet unborn.
The event featured goodwill messages from alumni leaders, recognition of distinguished graduates, networking sessions, and special honours for individuals who have contributed significantly to the growth and development of the institution.
Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that the renewed collaboration between the institution and its alumni community would accelerate IMT's transformation into a globally competitive centre of excellence in technological and management education.
The 2026 Alumni Homecoming ended with a collective pledge by alumni and stakeholders to support the institution's vision and contribute meaningfully to its continued growth and development.
From Mark Eze
PRO
