The University of Jos has officially concluded the 3rd International Conference on Management Science Research (ICMSR 2026) with a Dinner and Award Night held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the ASUU Secretariat Hall, where key sponsors, distinguished alumni, and contributors were recognized for their support and achievements.
The four-day conference, hosted by the Faculty of Management Sciences at the university’s Naraguta Campus, brought together scholars, researchers, students, and industry experts from across the globe to deliberate on contemporary management and governance challenges.
The conference, themed “Driving Digital Transformation and Sustainable Governance: Strategies for Inclusive Growth in a Dynamic Global Economy,” featured activities including a PhD colloquium, paper presentations, and concurrent academic sessions aimed at advancing research and policy discussions in management sciences.
Speaking at the closing event, Dr. Abel Ochibo of the Department of Business Administration and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Funding and Sponsorship for ICMSR 2026, described the conference as a major success and noted significant improvements from previous editions.
According to him, the quality of speakers, relevance of topics discussed, and growing participation from institutions within and outside the university demonstrated the conference’s expanding influence and impact.
“This is the third edition of the conference, and we have seen tremendous improvement over the years. The topics addressed contemporary global issues, especially those relevant to management sciences, and participation has grown significantly,” he said.
One of the recipients of the First Distinguished Alumni Award, Obinna Ude, Managing Director of Pure Gas Farms and Industries Limited and a PhD student in the Faculty of Management Sciences, emphasized the importance of research in national development and business growth.
He noted that research remains essential for innovation, policy formulation, and the sustainability of businesses, stressing that education and academic inquiry continue to play a critical role in practical business management.
“Research contributes immensely to nation-building. No business model can grow without research, and this conference has impacted both students and professionals by helping bridge theory and practice,” he stated.
Also recognized with a sponsorship award was Samuel Gwott, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Plateau Express Services Group and Chairman of Valgee Services.
Gwott said the private sector has a responsibility to support academic initiatives capable of producing competent entrepreneurs and business leaders.
“As products of this educational system, we must support programs like this. Such conferences help shape good managers and entrepreneurs, and private sector involvement is important for their success,” he said.
Earlier during the opening ceremony, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Peak Charles Onochie, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya, highlighted the critical role of research in addressing emerging societal and economic issues.
He noted that the conference offered scholars a valuable platform to present research findings capable of influencing policy and promoting societal development.
In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Professor Yohanna Jugu, said the conference was designed to foster collaboration among scholars and researchers in addressing pressing governance and management challenges, particularly within Nigeria’s economic environment.
He added that previous editions of the conference had contributed significantly to improving the university’s global visibility and academic ranking.
The ICMSR 2026 concluded with participants expressing optimism that the conference would continue to produce scholarly publications, innovative ideas, and policy recommendations capable of advancing digital transformation, sustainable governance, and inclusive development in Nigeria and beyond.
