Vice Chancellor Advocates Institutional Growth In Private Universities

Vice Chancellor of Mountain Top University, Prof. Elijah Ayoade, has advocated for sustained institutional growth in private university education in Nigeria and the sub-Saharan African economy.

He said strong institutions benefit all, rather than focusing on the elevation of individuals.

He made the call on Monday during a chat with newsmen ahead of the institution’s 7th convocation.

Ayoade explained that prioritising institutional development across all areas of human endeavour would create an enabling environment that caters to the people and binds society together.

Providing insight into the convocation’s theme, “Dream Big, Start Small,” Ayoade noted that the message encourages individuals not to put the cart before the horse, but to begin from humble beginnings and steadily build towards success.

He added that students must be adequately prepared for the future with an entrepreneurial mindset and relevant skills that would enable them to excel in the labour market.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that Mountain Top University places strong emphasis on producing well-rounded graduates equipped with sound vocational skills and knowledge, capable of becoming employers of labour rather than job seekers.

He stated that the faith-based university is setting educational milestones in the country, noting that there is also a need to strengthen corporate institutions and campus facilities to global standards, in collaboration with leading European and American institutions, to address global trends and emerging national needs.

Speaking further, he noted that the university has significantly strengthened its research ecosystem over the last year through the Centre for Research Innovation and Collaborations (CRIC).

“Our internally funded DKOMFA-MTU Grant Scheme, amounting to about N14 million annually, continues to support impactful research addressing public health, food safety, engineering solutions and social development, he said

This deliberate effort, he said, has earned Mountain Top University global recognition such that the ranking underscores MTU’s rising profile as a research-intensive and socially responsive university.