Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerian universities not to merely award degrees but produce innovators, thinkers and builders equipped with the prerequisites that address Nigeria’s and Africa’s pressing challenges.
In his goodwill message during the investiture of Olajumoke Abimbola Morenikeji, who is a Professor, as the Kola Daisi University’s first female Vice-Chancellor held in Ibadan, Obasa said universities should build an environment where academic rigour meets practical problem-solving.
Obasanjo, represented by Vitalis Ortese, Managing Director of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Foundation, stated that universities require leaders who combine intellectual excellence with moral courage, vision and administrative discipline.
The former president charged the new VC to provide visionary leadership driven by innovation, integrity, character development and digital transformation to position the university among Africa’s leading universities.
“Ensure that the culture of Kola Daisi University continues to instil discipline, ethics, and civic responsibility in every student who passes through its gates. University administration demands firmness paired with empathy. Be a bridge-builder across faculty, staff, students and external partners.
While urging her to consolidate the achievements of her predecessors while preparing graduates capable of addressing national and global challenges, he congratulated Morenikeji on her appointment
The elder statesman described her appointment as a recognition of academic distinction and administrative competence.
Obasanjo, however, lauded the founder and chancellor of KolaDaisi University, Kola Daisi, for what he described as a visionary investment in human capital through the establishment of the institution.
Adeniyi Osuntogun, Professor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, urged the new VC to scale up academic and research output, drive partnerships, grants and entrepreneurship initiatives, and position KolaDaisi University as a university of choice in Nigeria and indeed Africa for innovation, science and technology.
While urging her to lead with wisdom, serve with humility and build on the solid foundation laid by her predecessors, the chairman of the Board of Trustees expressed confidence in her leadership abilities, describing her as an accomplished scholar with an outstanding record of academic excellence and service.
According to him, the Board of Trustees and the Governing Council have confidence in your capacity to take the university to greater heights.
On his part, Remi Babalola, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, who identified digital transformation as a key priority, stated that the university must leverage technology to improve learning, administration and global competitiveness.
Babalola, former Minister of State for Finance, stated that the Governing Council envisions a globally competitive university with national relevance and local impact, stressing the need to institutionalise excellence in teaching, research and community service.
The Pro-Chancellor described research as “the lifeblood of any great university” and urged the institution to support high-impact scholarship capable of addressing national development challenges.
He also called for financial sustainability through strategic partnerships, innovative resource mobilisation and prudent management.
According to him, the Governing Council expects the new administration to usher in renewed vigour, innovation and transformation while consolidating on the achievements recorded since the university’s establishment.
“The responsibilities of a Vice-Chancellor require courage to lead, wisdom to decide, humility to serve and vision to chart a progressive course for the institution,” Babalola said.
In her acceptance speech, Morenikeji noted that her administration would pursue a 13-point strategic agenda centred on curriculum renewal, research and innovation, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, postgraduate education, entrepreneurship, community engagement, sustainability and good governance.
The institution, she pointed out, would strengthen Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships
“The future of higher education is collaborative. We shall strengthen relationships with universities across Africa and beyond, promote faculty and student exchanges, develop joint research initiatives, expand international collaborations, and enhance our global visibility.
“Through these partnerships, our students and staff will gain broader perspectives, while the University will contribute more significantly to addressing global challenges”, she added.
