President Bola Tinubu has charged Nigerian universities to re-direct their approach to education and embrace emerging technological breakthroughs to move the sector forward.
President Tinubu maintained that such action would make educational institutions more productive, innovative and impactful.
He gave the charge in Ilorin on Tuesday at the 37th Conference of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), hosted by the University of Ilorin.
Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, Tinubu described Kwara as a state known for peace, harmony and educational development.
He urged university leaders to return from the conference with practical ideas capable of strengthening their institutions and advancing the nation’s education sector.
Also speaking, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, represented by the Deputy Governor of Kwara, Mr Kayode Alabi, described the conference’s theme, “Building Resilient Universities for Nigeria,” as timely and relevant.
AbdulRazaq stressed the need for universities to continuously adapt and innovate while creating enabling environments where staff and students could thrive.
“I urge universities to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly, while ensuring that critical thinking, creativity and human expertise remain central to learning and research.
“I also want to encourage stronger partnerships between universities and their host communities, particularly through research, innovation and the development of solutions to societal challenges,” the governor said.
Prof. Laurence Ikechukwu, the Chairman, Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, said the conference provided an important platform for university leaders to interact, share experiences and develop strategies towards strengthening higher education in Nigeria.
Contributing, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdulwahab Egbewole, SAN, expressed appreciation to AbdulRazaq for his continued support for education and the university, particularly the construction of roads leading to the institution.
The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr Lawal Olorungbebe, described the hosting of the conference as a great honour for Kwara.
Olorungbebe said the gathering would provide university leaders with an opportunity to exchange ideas and develop practical strategies for building a stronger and more responsive education system.
