Dignitaries at the pre-anniversary programme to herald the 50th anniversary of the Faculty of Technology, University of Technology
The University of Ibadan’s Faculty of Technology has played a central role in supplying skilled professionals to Nigeria’s technology and engineering sectors, its dean has said.
Professor Adeleke Gbamboye told attendees at a pre-anniversary event marking the faculty’s 50th year that many of its graduates now hold key positions across industries. He said the faculty’s history had been shaped by steady improvements in infrastructure and manpower development.
Professor Gbamboye also announced plans to strengthen the faculty’s innovation hub to develop practical solutions to national challenges in partnership with industry.
However, he said progress was being slowed by limited funding and weak collaboration with the private sector. “Much research ends as publications,” he said, adding that stronger investment could help graduates drive national development.
The call for closer links between universities, government and industry was echoed by other speakers at the event, themed Digital Energy: How AI and Machine Learning Are Powering the Future of Oil and Gas.
Chairman of the anniversary committee, Professor Olugbenga Falode, said Nigeria could learn from countries such as Singapore and China by using technology to power growth.
Alumnus Bankole Aderemi highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the energy sector, while consultant Niyi Fanubi urged the government to use academic research more directly in policy-making.
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