Professor Edith Olorunsola, a professor of Educational Management at Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has identified funding and the absence of modern learning infrastructure, among other issues, as challenges confronting the nation’s university system.
Professor Olorunsola disclosed this while delivering the 89th inaugural lecture of the university titled Revitalisation of Nigerian Universities: A Fulcrum for Workers’ Job Satisfaction and Performance. She described the university as the apex of higher education and human capital development.
She, however, declared that Nigerian universities have continually been plagued by circumstances and precedents that have crippled the ability of the institutions to function to the best of their capabilities.
Some of the challenges highlighted include funding and resource constraints, lack of smart classrooms, limited integration of adaptive learning technologies, among others.
The don maintained that education plays a vital role in national development by churning out skilled workers into society and fostering innovation, “but has faced significant challenges which has caused the university system to falter as it struggles to fully deliver on its potentials.”
According to her, “When universities are revitalized, we will be able to meet with the world standard, the federal government should make education a priority so that workers can be encouraged to put in their full potential.
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“These will surely have a great impact on the students’ ability to learn since the lecturers will operate in a very conducive environment, which will surely have a positive effect on the students as well.”
Olorunsola, while calling for a conducive learning environment through technology and innovation, said, “brain drain and stagnant career development opportunities will be a thing of the past should the government invest heavily in education.”
Calling on the federal government and security agencies to address the lingering security challenges, she added that “no one can learn under duress; once security is not guaranteed, learning becomes extremely distinct.”
Speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of EKSU, Professor Babatola Ayodele, commended the lecturer for her commitment and dedication in coming up with the lecture, saying, “She has done well and the cogent point is that we must reposition the university system through which we can realize our true potential as a nation.”
The VC appealed to private individuals and organisations to support the institution in the area of infrastructure, “to allow it to maintain the number one best state university in Nigeria.”
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