Without a strong postgraduate system, Nigeria's quest for national transformation will remain elusive, stakeholders have warned, as they gathered at Lead City University (LCU), Ibadan, to address the deepening challenges facing postgraduate education in the country.
The warning was delivered at the 67th meeting of the Committee of Provosts and Deans of Postgraduate Colleges and Schools (CPDPGCS), themed "Strengthening Postgraduate Education in Nigeria: Research, Innovation and Excellence."
The committee chairman, Professor Victor Dugga, restated the responsibility of provosts and deans in managing postgraduate research, noting that the committee meets every two years to coordinate activities, address challenges and explore global best practices in research administration. He lauded the establishment of the National Research Fund (NRF), noting that postgraduate colleges play a vital role in planning and implementing initiatives funded by the NRF. "Students are not merely clients; they are the driving force of knowledge. Our deliberations focus on empowering them through mentorship, joint research, and access to resources that make them globally competitive," Dugga stated.
Keynote speaker and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Olufemi Bamiro, emphasised that Nigerian universities must transform from mere degree awarding institutions to knowledge producing systems with measurable impact on socio economic development. He stressed that "postgraduate studies require strong partnerships between government, universities, and the private sector. Together, these three pillars can drive meaningful change," adding that Nigeria must not waste its human capital. "With the adoption of Artificial Intelligence and robotics, we must encourage young innovators, challenge universities, and foster collaborations that translate academic research into solutions for national problems," Bamiro noted.
The Vice Chancellor of Lead City University, Professor Kabiru Adeyemo, described postgraduate education as the engine room of knowledge creation and urged stakeholders to address funding gaps, deficiencies in research infrastructure, curriculum relevance, quality assurance and international collaboration.
The host Provost, Professor Afolakemi Oredein, highlighted the conference's objective of bringing together deans from across Nigeria to discuss strategies for advancing postgraduate education, noting that while education plays a significant role in national development, it requires strengthening to achieve its intended purpose.
