The new vice chancellor of Bowen University, Iwo, Professor Oyebamiji Babalola, says developing a knowledge-based economy is the key to national development.
Professor Babalola remarked recently at a press briefing organised to mark his official assumption of office as the fifth vice chancellor of the institution.
He said: “A knowledge economy is paramount to the nation-building process, and this is the right time for Nigeria to adopt and develop a knowledge-based economy.
“This implies that Nigeria must invest in education well enough to boost the sector. This is because investment in education is an investment in the development of the country, which will eventually lead to a knowledge economy with special reference to learning and a creative and open knowledge economy.”
He said Nigeria needs to focus more on human capital development, the importance of skills in a service economy, growth in knowledge, and intensive service sectors with an emphasis on technology and productivity.
Professor Babalola said that if Nigeria could increase its education budget substantially and monitor its judicious utilisation, academic and non-academic unions’ incessant strikes as well as student unrest would be put to rest, and academic stability would be achieved and sustained, especially in the public tertiary institutions.
In his vision for Bowen University, he noted that the campus community has the requisite facilities to upgrade the institution to a smart campus.
Therefore, he spoke of plans to transform Bowen University to greater heights within the next five years, adding that the strategic planning is ongoing.
“Within the few weeks I assumed office, I met the staff to intimate my dream and vision with them to prepare them for the task ahead.
My administration will make room for teamwork and openness, create an academic freedom environment for research development, and protect staff welfare for efficiency and productivity.
“My academic and university administrative experiences at the University of Ibadan at the management level for many years gave me an insight into what university administration entails.
I had the opportunity to be involved in developing blueprints for at least two vice-chancellors and also participate in the execution process.
“However, when the Nigerian Baptist Convention considered me to be the next vice chancellor of Bowen University, I sought the face of the Lord in prayers for the leading of the Holy Spirit as to how the university should be run.
The Lord led me to read the Book of Daniel, from which I will develop the blueprint I will need for the growth and development of the institution.
“I realised that the Book of Daniel is synonymous with a university setting where Daniel and his colleagues had three-year education training in various subjects.
“The Lord instructed me to go to Bowen University to produce the likes of Daniels for this generation—to produce graduates that will transform the nation in the near future.
“My administration will embark on overhauling the system on the ground where necessary and also maintain some good policies and activities met on the ground.
Babalola is a Professor of Biophysical Chemistry.
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