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From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
Former Minister of Power, Prof Bart Nnaji, has advocated increased investment in education, as a critical driver of economic competitiveness and sustainable development in the 21st century.
Nnaji made the call in Nsukka on Wednesday while delivering the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) 66th Founders’ Day Lecture, titled, “Grappling with 21st Century Development Challenges through Higher Education in Nigeria.”
He said Nigeria could not achieve sustainable economic advancement without strengthening its educational institutions and creating an environment where universities could effectively contribute to technological innovation, industrial development and national transformation.
He urged the Federal Government to increase funding for education and promote strategic partnerships between universities and industries.
“Stronger collaboration between the academic and business sectors would help bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and the skills required in the workplace.
“I urge government to prioritise and substantially increase investment in education because the experience of leading nations in the global economy and technology shows that sustained investment in education, research and human capital development is a fundamental driver of progress, innovation and competitiveness.
“Universities should not only produce graduates but also become centres of innovation, research and technological advancement capable of providing solutions to the country’s economic and developmental challenges,” he said
The Chairman of Geometric Power Group particularly advocated greater emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, saying the future of the global economy would increasingly depend on technological competence, innovation and the ability to develop home-grown solutions.
He encouraged Nigerians to believe in themselves and invest confidence in the younger generation, noting that Nigerian youths possess the talent and intellectual capacity to compete favourably with their counterparts anywhere in the world if given the necessary opportunities and support.
The former minister also stressed the importance of competence and capacity in leadership, noting that leaders entrusted with public responsibilities must possess the ability, knowledge and character required to deliver results, as well as appoint quality and qualify people that will have help them achieve their targets.
“Nigeria need leaders who could think strategically, take difficult decisions and deploy available resources effectively for the benefit of the people,” he said.
Nnaji maintained that Nigeria’s development challenges could not be addressed solely through government intervention, urging universities, industries, professional bodies and other stakeholders to work together in developing the human capital required for national transformation.
Nnaji commended the university for sustaining the Founders Day Lecture, adding that Azikiwe envisioned the University of Nigeria as a world-class institution with global standards, built to provide comprehensive education, advance knowledge and research, and respond to the needs of society.
Nnaji express appreciation to the University management for finding him worthy to deliver the institution’s 66th founders day lecture.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and 13th Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Emeritus Prof. Bartholomew Okolo, said the university’s founding was anchored on a vision of establishing an institution capable of attaining the highest standards of academic excellence.
Okolo said the founding fathers of the university conceived a bold vision and mission that remained relevant to Nigeria’s development aspirations.
He described the theme of the lecture as timely and critical, particularly at a period when Nigeria was confronted by complex economic, technological and social challenges requiring innovative solutions from its universities and other institutions of higher learning.
The former Vice-Chancellor commended the current administration of the university under Prof. Simon Ortuanya for its infrastructure transformation and efforts to improve the physical and academic environment of the institution.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, said the Founders’ Day Lecture was instituted to commemorate the founding of the university and honour the vision of its founder, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
Ortuanya explained that the annual lecture also provides a platform for intellectual discourse on issues of national and global significance.
According to him, the lecture promotes the ideals of the university’s founding fathers, encourages scholarship and critical thinking, and provides an opportunity to reflect on the role of the university in Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
The Vice-Chancellor said the best way to honour the founding fathers was not merely to celebrate their achievements but to sustain and advance the vision upon which the university was established.
“Let us honour the founding fathers by finishing what they began,” Ortuanya said.
He said UNN remained committed to preserving its tradition of academic excellence while responding to contemporary challenges through research, innovation, infrastructure development and stronger engagement with industry and society.
