Professor Yakubu Ochefu, a distinguished scholar in economic history and development studies, has outlined crucial steps that Nigerian universities must take to genuinely prepare for future relevance in the global education landscape. Speaking as a guest lecturer at the 81st Interdisciplinary Research Discourse of the Postgraduate College of the University of Ibadan, Ochefu emphasized the need for significant reforms to enable universities to produce a well-rounded and fit-for-purpose workforce.
Addressing the theme “Rethinking the Philosophy of University Education in Nigeria in the Era of Education 4.0,” Professor Ochefu underscored the myriad challenges facing university education in Nigeria, including shrinking funding, poor quality of teaching and non-teaching staff, infrastructural deficits, and curriculum inadequacies, among others. Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism that they could be converted into opportunities for greatness.
Ochefu identified ten desirable soft skills, or micro-credentials, that university graduates need to possess to become relevant in the world of work, both now and in the future. These skills include sense-making, social intelligence, novel and adaptive thinking, cross-cultural competence, computational thinking, new media literacy, transdisciplinarity, design mindset, cognitive load management, and virtual collaboration.
Highlighting the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on education, Ochefu noted that universities are no longer the sole custodians of knowledge, and learning and teaching have transcended boundaries. He emphasized the importance of universities adapting to these changes and becoming competitive in teaching, research, and community service.
With 265 universities currently in Nigeria, Ochefu called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to address the challenges confronting the education sector. He urged government leaders to invest more in education, develop innovative curricula, and provide scholarships and financial assistance to students and staff. Additionally, he advocated for transparent resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, and visionary leadership in universities.
Looking to the future, Professor Ochefu predicted the emergence of new ownership models for universities, including public-private partnerships and for-profit institutions. He emphasized the need for Nigeria to keep pace with global trends in tertiary education and ensure that its universities are adequately positioned for future growth and relevance.
As Nigerian universities embark on this journey of transformation, Professor Ochefu urged all stakeholders to work together to realize the vision of a vibrant, competitive, and forward-looking higher education sector.