Dr Mansur Muhtar, former Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Bank of Industry, has urged Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), to take the lead in transforming Nigeria’s struggling higher education system.
Speaking at the university’s 26th Founder’s Day Lecture, Dr Muhtar spoke on the urgent need for bold changes in tertiary education to ensure it becomes globally relevant and sustainable.
During his speech titled “Reimagining University Education in Nigeria for a More Sustainable Future,” he described Nigeria’s universities as being in crisis, plagued by outdated teaching methods, poor facilities, and a lack of funding for research.
He called for a shift from minor adjustments to a complete overhaul of the system.
Dr Muhtar challenged IUO, which pioneered private university education in the country, to take the lead once again, this time in promoting innovation, digital transformation, and academic excellence.
He outlined five key areas for reform: modernising curricula, encouraging hands-on learning, investing in digital infrastructure, promoting impactful local research, and nurturing ethical leadership.
He also suggested that the university should aim to become Nigeria’s first fully sustainable and innovative campus, forming partnerships with tech companies to create a digital innovation lab and strengthening its entrepreneurship programme to connect academic learning with real-world business needs.
Representing the founder, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Deputy Chancellor Chief Lucky Igbinedion praised the university’s progress since its establishment in 1999.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye described the anniversary as not just a celebration but a call to action, reaffirming IUO’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and national development.
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