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By Vivian Onyebukwa
Stakeholders have called for a change in the education sector to achieve the global standard of education in Nigeria.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Vice Chancellor of Highstone Global University, Texas, USA, Theophilus Aku Ugah in Lagos, Prof. Azubuike Odiete, president, Highstone Global University, Texas, USA, noted that Nigerian education was doing well, but all that was needed was change. He stated the need for the redesign, restructuring and redefinition in the Nigerian curriculum to align with the global educational system across the world. “There is need to bring in innovation and technology into our Nigerian institutions. This is a digital era that anybody can achieve his degree or education anywhere in the world, irrespective of where you are”, said Odiete.
He noted the need for proper orientation in order to achieve a global standard of education in Nigeria.
“There should be retraining of all academic proprietors to really align with the current trend in the educational system in the world. We need the retraining of Nigerian scholars to align with the recent trend such as online,” he said.
He expressed dismay where over one million Nigerians enroll for JAMB every year and one third of them do not gain admissions. He, therefore, advocated for online system of education to accommodate a good number of students who enroll for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam each year: “I predict that in 20 years from now, the physical campus you see today might not really be there because the online system has taken place. The online system can accommodate as many numbers, unlike the main campus.”
Odiete advised Nigerians to imbibe the system of online education, especially across all the universities. He advised the universities to embrace digital online education, encourage it across the whole spectrum of tertiary institutions, even in the primary and secondary subsector. “It will improve Nigeria”, he said.
Odiete commended the newly installed vice-chancellor of the institution on his appointment, while revealing the institution’s plans to establish a physical campus in Delta State, Nigeria.
He explained that the institution, which was established some years ago, is aimed at contributing towards the development of education in Nigeria.
Chairman on the occasion, Prof. Biodun Akinpelu of the Department of Science and Technology education, Lagos State University (LASU), commended high quality of education in Nigeria. He, however, maintained that a lot still has to be done about it: “This is the largest nation in the black world, but how many universities do we have? How are we moving to the grassroots? How are we handling the educational sector and the people handling the sector itself?”
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Akinpelu also noted the need for funding to raise Nigeria’s education sector to a global level, and emphasised the need for training of teachers He applauded the new vice chancellor, and expressed optimism that he would add value to education in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. “I can say it confidently that Highstone Global University has come to give quality education because they can be monitored. With online studies, everything can be monitored.”
Speaking, the new Vice Chancellor, Prof Theophilus Aku Ugah, commended the management of HGU for the confidence reposed in him to manage the university. He promised to work diligently to make sure that in 30 years the institution is ranked among the best hundred in the world.
While speaking on the theme, “The Contributions of Strategic Education Towards Societal Advancement,” Ugah stated the need for a country to produce trained and quality teachers to meet the needs of the society.
He acknowledged the importance of team work, while calling for active participation of stakeholders, including the staff, students and alumni to achieve their mission.
Also, the Deputy African Vice Chancellor of the school, Prof Gerald Okeke, explained the institution’s mission to support working adults with flexible and affordable education. “Our university is geared towards graduate satisfaction. We provide transformed education that empowers individuals to build a more inclusive and interconnected society,” Okeke said.
He emphasised the importance of skills-based education, stating: “Our staff are passionate about cultivating critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership abilities that enable our students to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce.”
He described Prof Ugah as highly intelligent, humble, peaceful, godly, and religious. “He left a legacy at Chevron which will always be remembered for. Highstone made a wonderful choice”, he stated.
High point of the occasion was the conferment of honorary degree to Ambassador Steve Nwose, the International Representative for HGU.
In his response, Prof Nwose said: “We still have a very long way to go in Nigeria because in Nigeria the things that students need for quality education is lacking- the textbooks, practical works are not there. The government do not support our children in Nigeria compared to other countries like America where the government ensures that the students are trained properly for the future. I see this university going places compared to most universities all over the world. They have quality instructors, and the office is well organised to entertain the growth of students all over the world.”
