The Forum of Academic Doctors (FOSAD) has issued a detailed communiqué at the end of its two-day conference, outlining urgent calls for action across a wide range of cultural, political, and developmental issues affecting the South-East region and the broader Nigerian federation.
At the heart of the communiqué was an impassioned appeal to preserve and promote the Igbo language, which the Forum warned is at risk of extinction. The group emphasized that the survival of the language is key to preserving the identity and heritage of the Igbo people. FOSAD urged all stakeholders, including educational institutions, cultural organizations, and government authorities, to take immediate steps to revitalize the use of the language, especially among younger generations.
FOSAD also decried the persistent lack of educated leadership in Nigeria, stressing that academics must begin to play a more active role in governance. According to the communiqué, the continued detachment of intellectuals from politics has allowed those who are ill-prepared or unqualified to dominate leadership spaces, resulting in poor governance and policy failures.
The group highlighted climate change as a growing concern and urged its members to champion public awareness and policy advocacy for environmental protection. FOSAD noted that academic professionals are best positioned to drive the conversation on sustainability, lead community action, and influence policymaking on climate-related issues.
On agriculture, the Forum called on federal and state governments to create an enabling environment for agribusinesses to thrive in the South-East. The communiqué pointed out that the region possesses the land and manpower needed to achieve food security and economic empowerment, provided there is adequate policy support.
FOSAD further noted that the South-East is richly endowed with both human and mineral resources, which remain underutilized. The group called on governors in the region to develop strategic plans to harness these assets, noting that sustainable industrialization and innovation must become the cornerstones of economic development. It also urged governors to partner with FOSAD as a think-tank to provide research-driven advice and practical recommendations for regional development.
In a cultural rebuke, the Forum condemned the practice of self-styled “Eze Ndigbo” titles among some members of the Igbo diaspora. FOSAD described the trend as a distortion of traditional leadership structures and urged communities abroad to respect the integrity of cultural customs rather than creating parallel hierarchies that misrepresent Igbo tradition.
On national affairs, FOSAD lent its support to The Patriots, a civic advocacy group pushing for constitutional reform in Nigeria. The Forum expressed alignment with the coalition’s calls for deeper federalism, equitable resource sharing, and inclusive governance as necessary steps toward national stability and cohesion.
The issue of insecurity also featured prominently in the discussions. FOSAD urged governors of the South-East to prioritize security, warning that continued instability in the region threatens lives, investments, and long-term growth. The Forum called for a multifaceted strategy that includes intelligence-led policing, youth engagement, and community-based security models.
Responding to the growing “JAPA” syndrome—the mass emigration of Nigerian youths in search of better opportunities abroad—FOSAD blamed the phenomenon on high unemployment and poor infrastructure at home. The group called for the harnessing of local natural resources, greater investments in manufacturing, and the expansion of industrial zones to create sustainable employment and reduce the incentive to emigrate.
The communiqué concludes with a reaffirmation of FOSAD’s commitment to using its intellectual resources to support governance, policy formulation, and regional integration. The Forum pledged to maintain strong engagement with government actors, civil society, and the wider public in order to build a secure, prosperous, and culturally rooted South-East region.
The conference marks a significant contribution by academia to the ongoing discourse around Nigeria’s development, with FOSAD positioning itself as a critical stakeholder in shaping the future of the nation through knowledge-based advocacy.