Transformation of Nigerian university education requires collective responsibility – Minister

Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Attorney General and Minister of Justice, says the transformation of Nigerian university education requires collective responsibility given the enormity of challenges facing the sector.

Fagbemi made the assertion while delivering a lecture titled: “The Intersection of Law, Digital Technology and Human Resourcefulness in Transforming University Education in Nigeria” on Friday in Lokoja, Kogi.

The lecture was part of activities slated for the 9th convocation ceremony of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Kogi.

The minister noted that challenges with the university’s education in Nigeria was beyond individual institutions or government agencies.

According to him, government must provide enabling policy framework and strategic leadership to achieve the desired transformation in the education sector.

He argued that universities must embrace change while performing their essential functions, saying that students must also be fully committed to their education with the support of the society for educational excellence.

Fagbemi lauded President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for placing education, digital economic development, and human capital advancement at the centre of the national development strategy.

“The policy framework of the present administration recognises that Nigeria’s demographic advantage can only be realised through strategic investments in educational excellence and innovation that prepare citizens for productive participation in the global economy.

“Therefore, the administration’s commitment to educational transformation extends beyond traditional infrastructure development to encompass systematic reforms in curriculum development, technology integration, and institutional capacity building.

“The establishment of 67 new higher institutions in two years, with a focus on specialised fields such as agriculture, environment, health sciences, sports, and technology, demonstrates strategic alignment between university development and national economic diversification objectives, ” he said.