Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola OON, FAS, has advocated stronger collaboration among stakeholders across both the public and private sectors to reposition tertiary education in Nigeria.
Speaking at the 26th Annual Lecture, Award of Honours and Postgraduate Scholarship Programme of the Stephen Oluwole Awokoya Foundation for Science Education (SOAFSE), Prof. Ogunsola decried the slow pace of curriculum development especially when compared with the fast-speed evolution driving technology and its strong impact on every sphere of life.
Speaking on the theme: A Look into the Future: Providing Fit for Purpose Education for National Development, the Vice-Chancellor expressed deep concerns over the widening gap between the current education system and contemporary work environment which she described as more skill-driven than certification.
While condemning the prevalent rate of youth unemployment, Prof. Ogunsola said university degrees are also under siege, a development she attributed to employers’ preference for specific skills and cognitive abilities as against degree certificates.
The Professor of Medical Microbiology also spoke on the revolutionary impact of Artificial Intelligence in education, how it has challenged and reshaped the foundations of teaching and learning as well as some of its advantages which include the democratizing effects, improved efficiency, cost-saving and value creation.
As a response to the fast-changing industry needs, Prof. Ogunsola said UNILAG has, for years now, strategically committed to: Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Programmes, curriculum enhancement through co-creation with industry, development of career support services and other forms of collaborations with international partners and industry in innovation hubs. She reeled out the low-hanging fruits of the strategies to include; micro-certifications, industry placement opportunities, joint degrees and combined honours by both staff and students.
While offering her perspective on the future of work and education, Prof Ogunsola suggested a greater interface between the gown and town, increased focus on capability and employability skills, higher focus on other forms of tertiary education as well as redefinition of the human learning and intelligence assessment process.
She also advised academicians to be more intentional about the Gen-Zs (i.e. those born between 1995 and 2012) while universities must adopt AI as co-teachers and place more emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of Board of Trustees of the Stephen Oluwole Awokoya Foundation for Science Education (SOAFSE), Professor Ayodele Francis Ogunye; the Chairman of AIICO PLC, Baba Oba Dr Oladele Fajemirokun and the Special Guest of Honour, Professor Konyin Ajayi, SAN, showered glowing tributes on late Professor Stephen Oluwole Awokoya for his feats as Nigeria’s first Chemistry Graduate; founding Principal of Molusi College, Ijebu Igbo; Nigeria’s first Minister of Education in the old Western region and first Nigerian Chief Federal Adviser on Education among others. They challenged the federal government to consider the late Professor Stephen Oluwole Awokoya for a National Honour.
The trio of Professor Oladapo Ashiru, OFR, (Chairman, CMD, Mart Group of Health Services), Rear Admiral Afolabi Macaulay (Rtd) (Chairman, Oakwood Heights Ltd.) and Mr Hezekiah Sola Oyinlola (Chairman, GTCO Holdings PLC) each bagged the SOAFSE Year 2024 Partners in Science Education Honours Awards at the event which was held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
A graduate of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos, Osedimilehin, Oluwatobiloba Johnson was among the five (5) scholars who smiled home with Postgraduate Scholarship awards courtesy of the foundation.
Asides being Nigeria’s first Minister of Education, late Professor Stephen Oluwole Awokoya reportedly implemented the Universal Free Primary Education Scheme of the old Western Region between 1952 and 1956. He was instrumental in the take-off of the African Scholarship Programme for American Universities (ASPAU) and was responsible for the Federal Policy Paper No. 1 of 1961 which outlined the setting up of the National Manpower Board, the National Universities Commission and the Bureau of External Aid for Education.
He was awarded a Doctor of Science Degree (Honoris Causa) by the University of Lagos in 1972 and was appointed a Professor of Education at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) in 1974.
Professor Stephen Oluwole Awokoya was on the Queen’s Honour list and was made a Commander of the British Empire for his pioneering works in Education. He died on March 15, 1985.
