Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has tasked both the federal and state governments to invest heavily in science and technology for the nation to meet the demands of today’s technologically driven world.
Makinde made this call while delivering the lecture at the maiden convocation of Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State on Tuesday.
Makinde, represented by his Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, warned that unless Nigeria invested in competitive innovation, resilience and strategic foresight, the country might continue to lag behind contemporary nations.
In the convocation lecture titled, “The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Future of Work: Implications for Nigerian Graduates,” Makinde argued that a country like South Korea was one of the world’s technology giants because it invested in education and made innovation a national priority.
“Self-reliance is not in isolation but the ability to sustainably harness local resources, talents and technologies while engaging effectively on the global stage.
“The federal and state governments should invest heavily in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and Innovation as a catalyst for transformation.
“A nation’s global competitiveness doesn’t rely solely on natural resources as is the case in Nigeria but on a nation’s capacity for innovation,” he said.
He listed some challenges facing the country, including youth unemployment, dependence on foreign technologies and underutilised human and natural resources.
“We are a nation of over 200 million people brimming with talent, energy and potential, yet, we are faced with the stark reality of undeniable challenges.
“A significant portion of young Nigerians struggle for meaningful employment while the country still imports what it ought to produce locally from basic goods to advanced technologies. This is despite our wealth in talent and resources which we are not fully leveraging.”
In his commencement lecture at the event, High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Humphrey Geiseb, described the graduates as future leaders trained to change the future direction of the country.
He stressed that education was a diverse and formidable tool that transcends borders, urging graduates to make positive contributions to the world.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Prof. Victor Olanrewaju, appealed to the Federal Government to reconsider its stand on Tertiary Education Fund so that private universities are included.
Olanrewaju argued that such inclusion would assist the growth of private universities.
“They contribute a lot to youth security, youth development and youth engagement in the country,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor of TAU, Prof. Franscisca Oladipo, said that 26 graduates emerged for the convocation, out of which six bagged first class honours, 14 second class honours (Upper Division), four second class honours (Lower Division) and one with third class honours.
The founder of the school, Johnson Adewumi, after being decorated by the chancellor, recalled TAU’s tortuous journey to the present height, stating that the school was not only producing graduates but job creators.
