Prof. Sarah Agbor of the African Union, Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, former chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Bisi Akande yesterday called for a paradigm shift in African education policies to meet the 21st century challenges.
They made the call in Okada, Edo State, during the 19th convocation ceremony of Igbinedion University, Okada.
Obaseki said African and Nigeria universities must move from a mere status symbol to instruments of national development through research.
Obaseki who was represented by his deputy, Philip Shaibu, said: “This new role we are advocating for 21st century higher institution of learning does not mean that our universities must be politicized but should help in creating an enabling environment to play advisory partnership role that involves research and information delivery.”
The guest speaker, Prof. Agbor who spoke on the topic: “Higher Education and Career Advancement Opportunities in the 21st Century Revolution”
said that African graduates must outlive unemployment by creating job opportunities that speak to national reconstruction.
Also speaking after he had been conferred with an honorary degree of Political Science, Akande said Africans should go back to native informal education that involved craftsmanship and skill development in entrepreneurship.
Earlier, the chancellor of the institution, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, said the institution was established to offer qualitative education to deserving students in the nation’s quest to improve the educational system.
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