A former Minister of Finance and the newly appointed Chairman of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Dr Mansur Muhtar, has called on Nigerian universities to focus on delivering quality education and research to make a meaningful contribution to the country’s development.
Speaking at Igbinedion University Okada’s 26th Founder’s Day Lecture in Benin, Muhtar emphasised the urgent need for collaboration among the government, industries, and academic institutions to improve funding and curb the ongoing brain drain.
In his lecture titled “Reimagining University Education in Nigeria for a More Sustainable Future,” Muhtar criticised the current state of higher education, citing outdated curricula, poor infrastructure, lack of funding for research, and limited connection to real-world challenges.
He argued that Nigerian universities must transition from a culture of “publish or perish” to one of “solve or stagnate,” where solving national problems takes priority over merely producing academic publications.
Muhtar proposed a five-point plan to revitalise higher education: updating academic programmes to be more flexible and relevant, promoting practical learning experiences, investing in digital infrastructure, supporting meaningful research, and ensuring strong and ethical leadership in institutions.
He also praised Igbinedion University for its pioneering role as the first private university in Nigeria, urging the school to continue leading by example in transforming tertiary education.
The university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, also reflected on the school’s founding on May 10, 1999. He spoke on the institution’s pioneering role in private sector involvement in higher education and expressed pride in its progress, reputation, and service to the nation over the years
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