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Nigerian Universities Poised to Solve Nation's Challenges, Achieve SDGs - Prof Okebukola


In a remarkable revelation, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Peter Okebukola, asserted that Nigerian universities have the potential to offer up to 40percent of the solutions required to address the nation's challenges and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Speaking during the 2023 Convocation lecture at Babcock University, Professor Okebukola presented a paper titled ‘From Tangible to Virtual Reality: Redefining the Nigerian University System’, outlining the path towards realizing this potential. 

He emphasized the need to strengthen research capacities among university staff, advocating for in-country and international training experiences, improved resourcing of research laboratories and workshops, and the provision of substantial grants for quality research.

In his address, Professor Okebukola cautioned against accusing universities of irresponsibility to the nation’s needs, if the necessary enablers were not put in place. 

He also stressed the importance of aligning future university education in Nigeria with virtual reality, which necessitates quick-fix interventions based on a gap analysis conducted by his group of scholars.

One key area of concern highlighted by Professor Okebukola was the need to prioritize primary and secondary education to produce better-prepared students for university admission. 

He challenged the effectiveness of weak primary and secondary school systems and suggested that strengthening basic education would mitigate quality challenges faced at the university level.

To bolster primary and secondary education, he emphasized the urgency of getting all out-of-school children enrolled and adequately resourcing these schools to deliver quality education. This, he said includes hiring better-quality teachers, providing fair remuneration, and offering continuous professional development opportunities.

Professor Okebukola expressed confidence that if guaranteed improvements in basic education are gradually put in place by relevant stakeholders such as local governments, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and state governments, Nigerian universities will witness an influx of better-prepared students within the next five years.

Regarding the future of quality in the university system, Professor Okebukola praised the NUC's introduction of the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), which allows universities to incorporate unique content. However, he urged a focus on other critical factors such as teacher quality, curriculum delivery, governance, and resourcing to further enhance quality over the next five years.

During the convocation, Professor Okebukola lauded the progress made by Babcock University under the leadership of President/Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ademola Tayo. 

He commended the university's advancements in physical infrastructure, academic development, quality of staff, and the production of high-calibre graduates. With 97.3% of its undergraduate programs accredited by the NUC, Babcock University stood out as a top-tier institution in Nigeria.

Professor Tayo had earlier described Professor Okebukola as one of Nigeria's finest intelligentsia, emphasizing the nation's collective mission to contribute to its growth and prosperity.

According to him, every nation has a message to deliver and that Nigeria has a message and mission. “Together we can figure out how to assist our country to be greater,” he said.


By Edumattas
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Anonymous said…
Professor Is absolutely right. The universities are not equipped with the resources to meet the nation's need. The researches done are actually not Jared toward the problems of the country. Research and Training of the lecturer ought to be sponsored by the private sector. However on the aspect of the quality of students admitted to the university, it is what we consciously work on that we will produce. Education is expensive and quality education is extremely expensive. Most of the present leaders are products of free educations done by colonial masters. Unity schools are no more affordable. Parents should just give the best they can in training the children with character that is acceptable in the society learning never ends.
July 28, 2023 at 11:58 PM
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