UNILAG lecturer calls for 'destruction' of Nigeria's education system

The Acting Director of the National Information Technology Development Authority (NITHub) IT Hub (NITHub) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Victor Odumuyiwa, is trying to “disrupt” the Nigerian education system to bring it in line with the Nigerian education system. criticized. Not just the process but also the goal.

Mr. Odumuyiwa, who spoke on the theme “Empowering Tomorrow: Unleashing Generation Z’s Potential for Disruptive Innovation,” was the inaugural speaker of the Ogundipe Professor Innovation Challenge (POIC), an initiative of the Ogundipe Professor Innovation and Science Foundation. I served as a guest lecturer on two occasions. (Poi SF).

The lecturer questioned the design, curriculum and duration of academic programs offered by tertiary institutions in Nigeria, stating that what was taking place on campus was mere course delivery and not proper learning.

According to him, innovation is paramount to Nigeria's economic growth, global competitiveness, national security and resource efficiency.

He said Generation Z, the generation born between 1997 and 2010, is characterized as inventors, artists, and entrepreneurs, so they don't have the patience to focus on practice rather than theory. , he said.

He said: At MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), it is important to take a certain number of courses, and the best students are awarded a certificate if they complete the course in 3 years instead of 5 years.

“What happens in our educational institutions is no longer learning, but simply delivering courses. To enable the innovation and creativity that this generation is known for, we need to disrupt processes.” need to do it.”

The lecturer advised participants, especially young innovators, to prioritize patience, strategic partnerships and collaboration, and the need to identify platforms of opportunity as enablers for growth.

“Ideas alone do not rule the world, but those who implement them do,” he said.

About the Innovation Challenge

Mr. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, Immediate Immediate Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, who gave the name to the competition and the foundation, said it was created by students and selected staff of the Faculty of Science, of which he was a former Dean. Ta.

Ogundipe, a researcher and professor of botany, said he never expected the initiative to take off so quickly after being approached to offer support.

“So, we are not here to celebrate Ogundipe, but rather the students of the Faculty of Science put their heads together and came up with this idea with the guidance of their lecturers. The foundation has been registered as a platform for

“This program began in 2019, but from what I can see, this project will go far beyond where it is today.”

He thanked the dignitaries in attendance, including Ayo Ogunye, an octogenarian who founded the institute's chemical engineering department. Governor of Lagos State and his lieutenants; Babajide Sanwo-Olu Among others, each was represented by Mr. Obafemi Hamzat.

UNILAG VC speaks

UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Folasad Ogunsola commended the participants of the challenge, especially the finalists, saying there are only a limited number of jobs that can serve everyone, and by being innovative and creative they can improve their future. encouraged them to take on the role of

She said: “We are a country with an estimated population of 223 million people, 70 percent of whom are young people. But there is no doubt that we do not have a large supply of jobs and jobs that await them. It can only happen by creating new jobs, new companies, new businesses that can.

“What we intentionally create at the University of Lagos is talent that creates jobs and creates new organizations. That’s why we focus on making sure we innovate, not just sharing knowledge. is placed.”

She said Professor Ogundipe “took innovation and entrepreneurship to new heights as the 12th Vice-Chancellor. It is no surprise that we celebrate the second edition of POIC.”

“And I would like to ask the young people here to think outside the box and think about how to make Nigeria the best in the world, by challenging your mind and looking for solutions to problems. This can only be achieved,” she added.

a winner emerges

On the other hand, UNILAG's Team Neptune, with a project related to biotechnology, was the winner of the competition. The company is a talent development hub and he won a million naira cash prize and free training from Opolo Global Innovation.

Team Horizon from Lagos State University (LASU) took second place for its ideas on technology for farmers. I won 750,000 Naira and free training from Opolo Global Innovation Hub.

Also, Team Ilucens, also from UNILAG, and Tfree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) emerged in third and fourth place with ideas related to food processing and health technology. They also received N500,000 and N100,000 respectively in free training from Opolo Global Innovation Hub.

According to UNILAG Dean of Science and POISF President Elijah Oyeyemi, the competition provides a platform for students to develop practical skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

He said the goal is to develop students into problem solvers and job creators.

According to the organizers, recruitment began in 2020 and 947 applicants from 199 teams and 50 proposals have registered. Ten semi-finalists were then drawn from among the applicants, and five of them advanced to the final round.

$15,000 donation

As the father of the day, the Executive Vice Chairman of Nautilus Nigeria Engineering and Construction Limited, Mr. Ayodele Ogunye, announced a donation of $5,000 to the Foundation.

In his remarks, Mr. Ogunye said POIC is an investment in the future of Nigeria’s youth.

“Our students are smart, capable and talented. All we need is to create a platform that builds the ability of young people to find their own expression and exposure,” he said.

Chairman of the event and Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, Kola Adesina, doubled Mr. Ogunye’s donation.

Mr. Adesina was represented by Folake Soetan, CEO of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, who expressed his desire to turn the students’ ideas into generative impact with viable and profitable businesses. did.

“As our dear people grapple with a series of challenges today, this laudable effort could not be more appropriate and timely. It is groaning under the weight of insecurity, economic downturn, and many other problems that everyone is aware of.

“Many developed countries have used innovation, creativity, and various social experiments to achieve greatness. Therefore, this ideas contest, where student groups compete to solve real-world problems, is timely. I believe that there is a close relationship.

“I believe the goal of this program is to foster real-world, innovative solutions to the specific challenges facing our country at this time.”

Initiatives in Lagos State

Speaking on behalf of the Lagos State Government, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, said the government was impressed with the initiative and it was in line with his administration’s agenda on education and skills.

Sule said that for Nigeria's development, “universities must be very innovative in conducting research that brings new technology and new ideas.”

“The government is sympathetic to this great project because of its passion for education and technology. The institutions that drive things like this drive government policy, and we have a full interest in that.” he said.

Oyindamola Ogunsanwo, who is also the representative of the First Lady of Lagos State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said since its first edition, “the initiative has encouraged young people to break barriers, make a positive impact and contribute significantly to the growth of society.” said.