Former Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka has stressed the need for proper funding of Postgraduate Programmes in Nigeria's university system to provide practical solutions to various economic challenges confronting the country
The Professor of Applied Geophysics at nation's premier university made the call on Thursday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital while delivering a maiden Postgraduate School Discourse titled, "Consolidating Postgraduate Education In Nigerian Universities", organized by Chrisland University
He also identified the need for periodic review of the curricular in line with global development saying it is essential for top-rate postgraduate education to ensure the use of cutting edge research programmes to enhance teaching learning and research across faculties and disciplines in the university system
The former Dean of Postgraduate School of University of Ibadan in Oyo State, decried inadequate funding of Postgraduate Programmes making difficult to produce enough human capital to drive the nation's growth
"Postgraduate education is one of the strongest drivers of Nigeria's sustainable development because it produces the high-level skills, research and innovation needed to solve "wicked problems", he maintained
Prof Olayinka listed some of critical sectors which require more man-power inline with the United Nations recommendations to include medicine, engineering, Artificial intelligence, agriculture, saying" Nigeria needs at least 250,000 doctors but has less than 90,000 .
Postgraduate medical training according to him, is the only way to scale consultants and lecturers
"National Universities Commission (NUC) requires Ph.D to teach in universities. Without Postgraduate Programmes, we can't staff the 310 universities or reduce the more than 100,000 academic staff deficit in the system", he lamented
He added that Nigerian government must address the problem of limited access to postgraduate programmes, saying only about 15 percent of undergraduates proceed to postgraduate programmes due to cost, limited slots of the existing universities and strike by various unions on campuses
The Guest Lecturer observed that some of the programmes lack supervisors , laboratories and library resources making it difficult for universities to get approval of NUC to run Postgraduate Programmes
He advocated for support of industry to compliment the TETFund support while calling for improved welfare packages to encourage more Nigerians, saying more than 60 percent of Ph.D holders stay abroad
"If Nigeria's vision of 2050 and SDGs are to be met , we need more Postgraduate enrolment focused on STEM , agriculture, health and policy . Postgraduate education turns the population from a demographic burden into demographic dividends ",
He however commended the Postgraduate School of Chrisland University Abeokuta for laying a very good foundation with series of capacity building workshops including the Discourse series amongst other similar initiatives
Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Professor Oyedunni Sola Arulogun while declaring open the maiden Postgraduate School Discourse, described the theme "Consolidating Postgraduate Education in Nigerian Universities," as both timely and strategic, saying "Across the world, postgraduate education remains the engine room of knowledge creation, research excellence, technological innovation, and national development"
Chrisland University according to her, is
committed to building a postgraduate school that is distinguished by academic excellence, rigorous research, innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical scholarship, and global relevance.
"We envision a postgraduate ecosystem where curiosity is encouraged, creativity is nurtured, and research outcomes contribute meaningfully to industry, public policy, healthcare, education, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development"
"This discourse is an important step towards realizing that vision. It provides a platform for critical reflection on the future of postgraduate education, the challenges confronting our universities, and the opportunities before us in an increasingly knowledge-driven world"
"It is also an opportunity to challenge ourselves to rethink traditional models of postgraduate training and to embrace approaches that produce graduates who are not only academically accomplished but also innovative, entrepreneurial, globally competitive, and solution-oriented", she stated
The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr Iskeel Olanrewaju Saka lauded the initiative of Chrisland University for keying into the vision of the Prince Dapo Abiodun's administration in education sector as a major driver growth in the state
He commended the university for providing a platform that promotes intellectual engagement, scholarly discourse and the exchange of ideas on issues that are critical to the advancement of higher education in Nigeria
The State Head of Service who lauded the Vice-Chancellor and the entire university community for their commitment to academic excellence and human capital development, said such initiatives undoubtedly contribute to strengthening our educational institutions and preparing future leaders for the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving world.
The State Government according to him, will continue to invest strategically in education, capacity development, research and innovation as essential drivers of socio-economic transformation.
"Government also places a premium on productive partnerships with institutions of higher learning, recognizing their indispensable role in nurturing the intellectual capacity required for sustainable growth and development"
"We firmly believe that robust postgraduate education and research serve as catalysts for sustainable development, policy innovation and evidence-based governance, which are essential for addressing contemporary challenges and advancing societal progress"
Chancellor of the university, High Chief (Dr) Mrs Winifred Awosika and the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola joined the lecture via zoom while the Alake of Egbaland, Oba( Dr) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo and Olowu of Owu-Kingdom Oba Prof Saka Adelola Matemilola represented with their respective staff of office
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