Former Minister of Power, Prof Bart Nnaji, has called for increased investment in education as a critical driver of economic competitiveness and sustainable development in the 21st century. He made this call while delivering the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) 66th Founders’ Day Lecture, titled, “Grappling with 21st Century Development Challenges through Higher Education in Nigeria.” The lecture took place in Nsukka on Wednesday.
According to Nnaji, Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable economic advancement without strengthening its educational institutions and creating an environment where universities can effectively contribute to technological innovation, industrial development, and national transformation. He urged the Federal Government to increase funding for education and promote strategic partnerships between universities and industries.
Nnaji emphasized the importance of stronger collaboration between the academic and business sectors to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and the skills required in the workplace. He advocated for a greater emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, saying the future of the global economy would increasingly depend on technological competence, innovation, and the ability to develop home-grown solutions.
The former minister also stressed the importance of competence and capacity in leadership, noting that leaders entrusted with public responsibilities must possess the ability, knowledge, and character required to deliver results. He encouraged Nigerians to believe in themselves and invest confidence in the younger generation, noting that Nigerian youths possess the talent and intellectual capacity to compete favourably with their counterparts anywhere in the world if given the necessary opportunities and support.
Nnaji maintained that Nigeria’s development challenges cannot be addressed solely through government intervention, urging universities, industries, professional bodies, and other stakeholders to work together in developing the human capital required for national transformation. He commended the university for sustaining the Founders Day Lecture, adding that Azikiwe envisioned the University of Nigeria as a world-class institution with global standards.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and 13th Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Emeritus Prof. Bartholomew Okolo, said the university’s founding was anchored on a vision of establishing an institution capable of attaining the highest standards of academic excellence. Okolo described the theme of the lecture as timely and critical, particularly at a period when Nigeria is confronted by complex economic, technological, and social challenges requiring innovative solutions from its universities and other institutions of higher learning.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, said the Founders’ Day Lecture was instituted to commemorate the founding of the university and honour the vision of its founder, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. Ortuanya explained that the annual lecture provides a platform for intellectual discourse on issues of national and global significance and promotes the ideals of the university’s founding fathers.
Key points
- Former Minister of Power, Prof Bart Nnaji, advocates increased investment in education to drive economic competitiveness and sustainable development in Nigeria.
- Nnaji emphasizes the importance of stronger collaboration between the academic and business sectors to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and the skills required in the workplace.
- The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, sustains its Founders Day Lecture to commemorate its founding and honour the vision of its founder, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
