In a compelling address at the 2025 Public Lecture of the Social Science Academy of Nigeria (SSAN) in Abuja, Professor Lawrence Ezemonye, Chairman of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), called for a comprehensive transformation of Nigeria's university education system.
Delivering a lecture titled “A New Vision for University Education in Nigeria: Rhetoric, Paradox and Metaphor,” Prof. Ezemonye emphasized the urgent need for universities to adapt to the rapidly changing global landscape.
“The world is changing rapidly, and universities must adapt to prepare future-ready graduates,” he stated. “We are not just here to diagnose problems. We must envision a radical transformation.”
Highlighting challenges such as infrastructural deficits, overcrowded lecture halls, outdated laboratories, and unresolved staff issues, Prof. Ezemonye noted a significant mismatch between graduates’ skills and industry demands.
To address these issues, he proposed a forward-looking vision centered on project-based learning, competency-based education, entrepreneurial development, social responsibility, and the integration of technology.
“We must craft a new identity for Nigerian universities, no longer ‘degree mills’ or ‘political football fields,’ but national compounds, innovation hubs, and knowledge greenhouses,” he asserted. “If we fail to change the metaphor, we will fail to change the model.”
In his welcome remarks, Prof. Michael Kwanashie, former Vice-Chancellor of Veritas University, stressed the importance of rethinking funding mechanisms for Nigerian universities. He urged policymakers to adapt funding strategies to the socio-economic and political realities of the country.
“For those managing the university system, they need to look at these suggestions and find ways to activate new funding sources,” Prof. Kwanashie advised. “Many of these are tied to the nature of the economy, social structures, and the society’s underlying philosophy.”
The lecture underscored the necessity for Nigerian universities to evolve, embracing innovation and relevance to meet contemporary challenges and prepare graduates for the future.
By Adeola kunle
