As Nigeria’s oil sector continues to experience volatility in both production and prices, the government and the citizens have been advised to look elsewhere for the country’s economic future.
Specifically, they have been encouraged to focus more on human capital development, especially those with the requisite skills as an alternative to oil in the economic evolution of Nigeria.
That was the submission of Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State who insisted that in the post oil era, it is only skilled manpower that will come to the rescue and growth of the economy.
Speaking at Ilorin, Kwara State at the maiden Convocation Lecture of OJAJA University, weekend, Uzodimma said the time has come for the nation to invest in human capital development, particularly the growing of skills so as not to be caught unawares in its developmental initiatives.
Senator Uzodimma in his Convocation Lecture titled: THE ROLE OF PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN GROWING SKILLED LABOUR FOR A RESILIENT ECONOMY, noted that universities are the change agents to achieve the purpose, and canvassed support for them in terms of investments.
According to him, as “the nation strives for economic resilience in this era of globalisation, the role of education, particularly higher education, becomes crucial.”
He singled out private universities as the potential drivers of the new economic order, saying that they “have emerged as vital contributors to the production of a skilled workforce that can adapt to the evolving demands of the economy.”
The Governor argued that given the structure of the country’s economy, with services contributing half of the GDP, private universities have a unique opportunity and responsibility to lead the growing of skills in Nigeria.
“Private universities which are not usually encumbered by some of the constraints faced by public institutions, have the opportunity to be bold and pragmatic in their approach. They can experiment with new teaching methodology, integrate inter disciplinary studies and create learning experiences that transcend traditional academic boundaries, ” he submitted.
He was confident that the private universities, apart from emerging leaders in the growing of skills for the economy, will become the base upon which the future will be built.
Uzodimma declared: “Looking to the future , I see immense potentials in private universities. I see them producing graduates who are not just employees but innovators and entrepreneurs. I see them contributing to a knowledge economy that can compete on the global stage. I see them playing a major role in making Nigeria a hub for skilled talent in Africa and beyond.”
He said for that envisaged future to emerge from the private universities, it required strategic planning and unwavering commitment from diverse stakeholders, including the government.
Governor Uzodimma canvassed collaboration among the stakeholders for the support of private universities to enable them to play the intercessory role in the growing of skills and enhanced economy.
He added: “The future of our great nation lies not in the oil beneath our soil but in the potent skills and knowledge up our skills. Private universities have a pivotal role to play in incubating these potentials.”
Turning to the graduates of OJAJA University, he described them as pacesetters who have the potential of emerging presidents, governors, and Senators in the future. He congratulated them for their academic accomplishments.
He also commended the Visitor, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Adeyeye, Ojaja II whom he described as a nationalist and foremost traditional ruler, whose contributions to the education sector and the economy in general remain unprecedented.