By Precious Ireoluwa
Insecurity, funding and financial constraints have been highlighted as the major challenges crippling the output and performance of most of the Nigerian university system.
Professor (Mrs) Edith Olufunmilola Olorunsola made this known during 89th inaugural lecture delivered at the Ekiti State University Main Auditorium.
The Prrofessor while delivering the lecture titled : “Revitalization of Nigerian Universities: A fulcrum for workers’ job satisfaction and performance”, described university as the apex of higher education cum human capital development.
She however declared that Nigerian universities have continously been plagued by circumstances and precedence which had crippled the ability of the institutions to function to the best of their capability.
Some of the challenges highlighted includes; funding and resources constraints, poor infrastructure , smart classrooms, adaptive learning technologies, technology integration amongst others.
Professor Edith maintained that education which plays a vital role in the national development by its contininous pouring of skilled workers into the society, fostering innovation has faced significant challenges which has caused the university system to falter as it struggles to fully deliver on its potentials.
“When universities are revatalized, we will be able to meet with the world standard. Federal government should make education a priority so that workers can be encouraged to put in their full potentials.
“This will surely have great impact on the students ability to learn since the lecturers will operate in a very conducive environment which will surely have positive effect on the students as well”
Prof Olorunsola while advocating for conducive learning environment through technology and innovation, said brain drain and stagnant career development will be a thing of the past should government invest heavily in education.
She also called on the Federal government and security outfits to seek long lasting solutions to the rampaging insecurities scenario which she claimed is negatively affecting universities environment.
“No one can learn under duress, once security is not guaranteed, learning becomes extremely distinct”, she concluded.
In his remarks, the vice chancellor of Ekiti state university, Prof. Joseph Babatola Ayodele, declared the lecture a success noting that the lecturer was his first Phd student and affirmed her brilliance.
“She has done well and the cogent point is that we reposition the university system through which we can realize our true potentials.”I must commend her for doing a wonderful job”.
Prof Babalola also called on stakeholders to invest in the school as the school needs a lot of facilities to allow it maintain the number 1 best state university in Nigeria.
The lecture was attended by academicians, scholars, royal fathers and entreprenuers across the country.
