Education is Nigeria’s engine for economic renewal-VC

Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, Vice-Chancellor of the Igbinedion University, Okada, on Friday reaffirmed the central role of education in powering Nigeria’s economic transformation.

Ezemonye reiterated this in Okada, Edo during his address at the 23rd convocation lecture of the university.

According to him, education is the country’s strongest pathway to innovation, productivity and long-term prosperity.

He stated that Nigeria was undergoing a period of profound economic change and only a robust, knowledge-driven workforce could sustain the momentum.

Addressing graduates during the lecture titled: “The Nexus Between Education and National Prosperity in a Transformative Economy,” the vice-chancellor stressed that the topic mirrored the realities confronting the nation.

He described the convocation lecture as more than a ceremonial tradition, but an important platform for the university to interrogate national challenges and shape progressive thinking.

“Convocation lectures serve as a pivotal intellectual platform, a forum where we transcend the boundaries of conventional learning to confront and contemplate the pressing issues of our time.

“The theme chosen for this year’s lecture is both timely and profoundly relevant.

“As a nation, Nigeria is navigating a period of significant economic transformation and the role of education in this journey cannot be overstated.

“Contemporary research consistently affirms that education is not merely a social good but a powerful catalyst for economic prosperity and social progress,” he said.

Delivering the lecture, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Yusuf Sununu, noted that education “remains the key to unlocking opportunities.”

He added that education fosters social mobility, reduces inequality and must be complemented with skill acquisition for graduates to remain competitive.

Sununu commended Igbinedion University for mainstreaming entrepreneurship at the undergraduate level, saying the approach aligned with global best practices and prepares young Nigerians for an evolving economy.

The minister renewed calls for stronger investments in education as a national development strategy.