Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has urged the Igbo to critically examine claims of marginalisation in order to determine whether renewed calls for secession are justified.

He made the remarks on Tuesday while delivering a lecture at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State, during the 6th Biennial Adada Lecture organised by the Association of Nsukka Professors.

Soludo expressed concern that universities no longer interrogate national issues as rigorously as they once did, noting a decline in critical thinking within academic institutions.He pointed out that the Nigeria-Biafra war was declared from the same university environment, stressing that the justification for such a historic decision should have been deeply examined by the academic community.

According to him, many academic works produced in the country remain unused, while the nation continues to struggle with real challenges.

“Nigeria is drowning in more noise but less light. We must condemn the growing gap between classroom ideas and government action. Knowledge that does not shape policy is as good as useless,” he said.

Soludo maintained that the future of the Igbo people lies within a united Nigeria, urging intellectuals from the region to lead informed discussions rather than leaving the conversation to populist rhetoric.

He warned against inaction from the intellectual class, stating that silence in the face of national challenges could have serious consequences.

“Stop standing arms akimbo while the nation drifts; the silence from the intellectual class could cost Africa dearly. Talent is not enough—if you don’t act, you’re part of the problem,” he added.

Referencing historical figures such as Isaac Newton, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Kwame Nkrumah, the governor emphasised that history remembers those who combine ideas with action.

He concluded by challenging lecturers and scholars to reflect inwardly, insisting that intellectualism without practical impact remains ineffective.