Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife and Chancellor of Ojaja University in Kwara State, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s education policies to address the pressing challenges facing the sector. He made this appeal during the maiden combined convocation ceremonies of Ojaja University, held over the weekend in Eiyenkorin, Ilorin.
In his remarks, the Ooni acknowledged the strides made in education but emphasized that more work is needed to halt the steady decline in tertiary education. “While it is true that a lot has been done and is still being done to rescue the Nigerian Tertiary Education from a steady decline, the truth remains that a lot more still needs to be done within the framework of relevant and appropriate policy interventions and most importantly sound and flawless policy executions,” he stated.
He pointed out that crafting well-designed policies is not the issue; rather, the focus should be on their relevance and effectiveness in the 21st century. “If Nigeria will turn things around for good as we desire and take its appropriate place in the committee of leading educational nations globally, then we need to have a comprehensive review of our policies, policy-making processes as well as policy implementation paradigm,” he added.
The Ooni, who has been instrumental in the university’s development, urged philanthropists, corporate organizations, and well-meaning individuals both in Nigeria and abroad to support efforts to establish Ojaja University as a world-class institution. He stressed the importance of funding and capital investment to create an environment conducive to learning and character development.
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, represented by his deputy Mrs. Chinyere Ekomaru, highlighted the necessity of focusing on skills development as the future of Nigeria’s economy. “The role of education, particularly higher education, becomes crucial,” she noted, emphasizing that private universities can play a significant role in producing a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of a globalized economy.
The Vice-Chancellor of Ojaja University, Professor Jeleel Ojuade, announced that a total of 183 graduands from various faculties were conferred degrees, with Emmanuel Johnson from the Microbiology department recognized as the best overall graduating student.
The convocation was attended by notable figures, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, and various traditional rulers, academicians, and government officials, underscoring the event’s significance in promoting higher education in Nigeria.
