A former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, has outlined the defining features of globally competitive universities and proposed measures to strengthen academic traditions across Nigerian higher institutions.
Delivering the 14th Convocation Lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, on December 11, 2025, Prof. Olayinka emphasised that 21st-century-compliant universities thrive on high-quality human resources, adequate funding, strong physical and digital infrastructure, visionary leadership, an active research and intellectual property ecosystem, internationalisation, stable academic calendars, merit-driven admissions, and accessible, decent student accommodation.
Speaking on the theme, Strengthening the Academic Tradition in the Nigerian University System, the former VC urged both public and private institutions to increase investment in higher education to cope with Nigeria’s rapidly expanding population and the rising demand for tertiary education. He warned that unless Nigeria deliberately expands university capacity, many qualified admission seekers will continue to pursue educational opportunities abroad.
According to him, Nigeria’s population could increase by about 130 million by 2050, pushing the country’s total to over 400 million—making it the world’s third most populous nation. With about 43 per cent of Nigerians under 15 as of 2025, he noted that the number of prospective university applicants will spike significantly in the coming years.
Prof. Olayinka stressed the need for a balanced approach to improving access to university education without compromising quality or affordability. He observed that in Nigeria, a university degree remains central to securing better employment opportunities and upward mobility.
He also identified contemporary constraints weakening the university system, including inadequate funding, incessant strikes by staff unions, inefficient service delivery, ageing academic workforce, outdated teaching and research equipment, low staff morale, high cost of campus services, and a widening gap between national manpower needs and the quality of graduates being produced.
Highlighting the impact of repeated industrial actions, he lamented that Nigerian academics earn some of the lowest wages on the African continent, making the profession unattractive to younger talents.
“A nation that impoverishes its teachers undermines its future,” he warned. “Intellectual labour cannot be chained, and scholars cannot be caged. Lecturers are global citizens who belong to a borderless world of thought, and a government that fails to honour them ultimately dishonours itself.”
To revitalise the system, the scholar recommended transparent and competitive recruitment to ensure adequate staffing, improved staff-to-student ratios, and robust staff development initiatives such as seminars, conferences, and workshops—especially for early-career academics. He also encouraged universities to optimise ICT tools in teaching and postgraduate supervision, and suggested allowing retired supervisors to continue postgraduate mentoring for up to three years.
Prof. Olayinka further advocated the strategic use of emeritus professors and adjunct faculty, the maintenance of existing facilities, and steady investment in modern teaching and research equipment. He also underscored the importance of maintaining a balanced mix of junior and senior academics to ensure smooth departmental succession and sustained academic excellence.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University and Chairman of the event, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, described the Convocation Lecture as a platform for deep engagement with transformative ideas critical to the future of the Nigerian university system. He commended Prof. Olayinka as an exemplary scholar and administrator who has consistently upheld and advanced the academic tradition.
