Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Prof. Mbang Femi-Oyewo, has urged tertiary institutions in Nigeria to invest in digital infrastructure such as smart classrooms, e-learning platforms, and digital libraries to improve teaching and learning.
Speaking at the 6th Founders’ Day celebration of Trinity University, Lagos, themed “Celebrating Legacy, Inspiring the Future,” Femi-Oyewo emphasized the need for Nigerian universities to adapt to rapid technological advancements and global education trends.
“There is a need to integrate AI and automation into research and education,” she said, stressing the importance of training students in modern fields like computational drug discovery, bioinformatics, and digital health technologies.
She also advocated for the implementation of Learning Management Systems like Canvas or Blackboard, the creation of mobile apps for course interaction, and the development of virtual and augmented reality labs to provide immersive learning experiences.
Femi-Oyewo called for robust training and support for lecturers to help them incorporate technology into their classrooms. She further encouraged institutions to bridge the gap between academia and industry by establishing tech incubators, providing start-up funding, and offering legal support for innovation and intellectual property.
She highlighted the need for private sector collaboration to facilitate internships, mentorships, and research opportunities for students, and advocated for grants and incentives to support faculty and student research in priority areas.
Beyond technology, she urged schools to support student-led businesses through incubation programs and to offer entrepreneurship and leadership development courses. She also recommended forging international partnerships for exchange programs and dual-degree opportunities to align with global best practices.
In her address, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos and chair of the event, praised Trinity University’s progress and commitment to academic excellence. Pro-Chancellor Mr. Samuel Olatunji affirmed the university’s vision of nurturing future leaders through quality education.
Trinity University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Clement Kolawole, used the occasion to recognize high-achieving students and reiterated that disciplinary measures would be taken against students involved in misconduct during recent examinations.
The event also featured the commissioning of a new diagnostic laboratory on campus, which will allow students to conduct laboratory tests within the school. Prof. Kolawole reaffirmed the university’s dedication to community engagement, entrepreneurship, research, and teaching excellence.
