Rescue Tertiary Education from decline, Ooni pleads FG

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called for a comprehensive reassessment of educational policies to address modern challenges. He made this appeal during the inaugural combined convocation ceremonies of Ojaja University, located in Eiyenkorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, on Saturday. The event celebrated the graduation of 183 students, including 21 who achieved first-class honors.

In his remarks, the monarch acknowledged the advancements made in the education sector over the years but emphasized that significant work remains to be done to reverse the ongoing decline in tertiary education. “While we recognize that progress has been made to improve Nigerian tertiary education, much more is required in terms of relevant policy interventions and, crucially, effective execution of those policies,” he stated.

He pointed out that while creating impressive policies is not an issue in Nigeria, the real challenge lies in ensuring their relevance, appropriateness, timing, and monitoring to meet the needs of the 21st century. “For Nigeria to improve and secure its rightful place among the leading educational nations globally, a thorough review of our policies, the processes of policy-making, and implementation strategies is essential. This is what will drive meaningful change,” he added.

As Chancellor of the university since its inception as Crown Hill University in 2016, Ooni Ogunwusi acknowledged the difficulties associated with managing a world-class institution. He noted, “My experience has shown that establishing a world-class tertiary institution demands substantial funding and investment. Creating a conducive environment for learning and character development in our rapidly evolving world is a significant challenge. Although daunting, it is certainly achievable.”

During the convocation lecture, which was delivered by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State—represented by his deputy, Mrs. Chinyere Ekomaru—he highlighted that the future economic growth of Nigeria relies more on skills development than on oil production.

Ekomaru remarked, “Our nation is grappling with multiple economic hurdles, including high unemployment and a skills gap in the workforce. As the population of young people continues to grow, we must educate them to compete effectively in a globalized world.”

She emphasized the critical role of higher education in fostering economic resilience, especially in the context of globalization. Ekomaru noted that private universities in Nigeria have become essential in producing a skilled workforce capable of adapting to the evolving economic landscape. “Private universities have the flexibility to focus on technology-driven and industry-relevant education. They are less constrained than public institutions, allowing them to innovate and apply new teaching methods that integrate interdisciplinary studies,” she said.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Ojaja University, Jeleel Ojuade, announced that the institution had graduated a total of 183 students across various faculties, with Emmanuel Johnson from the microbiology department recognized as the top graduate. The VC praised Oba Adeyeye’s dedication and vision for the university, noting that it currently offers thirteen fully accredited programs and has plans to introduce more in the future.