Oyedepo, Okebukola, Others Advocate Huge Investment For Research In African Universities

Stakeholders in the education sector have called for a sustained investment in universities and tertiary institutions in Africa and particularly Nigeria to be able to rank among the best in the world.

 Chancellor of Covenant University (CU), Dr David Oyedepo stated that owners of universities and citadels of learning ought to understand the value of increased learning and development in research and should therefore find ways to invest in its human capacity development.

Oyedepo and chairman of Council, Crawford University, Peter Okebukola, and others who spoke at the opening of the two-day QS Africa Forum held in CU, Ota, Ogun State with the theme: “Education Africa 2030 and beyond — sustainability and social Impact in an African context, noted that for Africa to move forward, new learning modules, finding indigenous solutions and being proactive were imperative. 

“Africa is not where she is because she is black but because she is blind. We should take steps to solve problems. We should not wait to see problems solved. Lack of capacity to utilise natural endowment is responsible for Africa’s pitiable condition. There is lack of adequate engagement.

‘’We are mostly interested in positions.  A developed person is what results in a developed nation.  Our universities ought to be citadels of learning where research development and inventions are the other of the day but if we do not value sustained knowledge and invest in it, we will remain where we are.  Africa needs new learning modules to bring about a new Africa. Finding indigenous solutions to our problems is the way forward. Our forefathers solved their problems without the school system,” he said.

The Founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide noted that Covenant University produces the highest number of employable graduates in Nigeria because it was intentional and planned for years to yield so because its core mandate is to see Africa reclaim its lost glory.

 Former Executive Secretary of National University Commission, Professor Peter Okebukola also stated that African universities are ranked poorly because the institutions were not investing enough in what will give it the global outlook.

 The erudite scholar who commended CU for blazing the trail in research development, noted that the forum by Quacquarelli Symonds QS would afford universities across Africa to learn what makes an institution to rank higher than the other which is not far-fetched- global positioning and sustained investment in research development in the schools.