By Dayo Adesulu

The Former President Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has proposed four strategic goals which the Nigerian university system should strive to attain in the next five years to reposition the nation’s post-graduate education.

He stated this recently while delivering the 7th Annual Lecture of the School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Lagos. The Lecture entitled: Strategic Positioning of Postgraduate Education in Nigeria was held in the Main Auditorium of the University.

The four strategic goals according to Obasanjo include: achieving at least five major breakthroughs based on research in solving key challenges to development in Nigeria especially in the power sector, food security, health, environment and good governance. Improving efficiency of the delivery system by at least 20% over current rate or situation. Attaining a respectable ranking among the top one thousand universities in the world in different post-graduate programmes and Reducing to the barest minimum unethical practices in post-graduate education such as academic dishonesty, plagiarism, copyright violation and corruption

Chief Obasanjo in his speech noted that these strategic goals would be achieved through a plan of action which would focus on curriculum and curriculum delivery, quality of students and teachers, efficiency of the system as well as post-graduate programmes with strength and record of success in crucial areas.

While lamenting the poor state of higher education in the country, Obasanjo challenged Nigerian Universities to pursue meticulous academic activities that would lead to the production of capable graduates rather than frivolous award of honorary degrees to individuals with questionable character and conduct.

The former President called for the training and re-training of University personnel to empower and prepare them for 21st century challenges. He also urged the Governing Councils and Senate of Nigerian Universities to move the gown to town by seeking research partnerships with the private sector.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Council and Pro-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Deacon (Dr.) Gamaliel Onosode charged all tertiary institutions to rise to the challenge of turning out resourceful graduates by embracing the latest information and communication technology in teaching and research.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe noted that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo lecture was timely and topical as the University’s Postgraduate School which was set up during the 1966/67 Academic Session was determined to achieve its mandate of producing the best set of individuals for Universities in Nigeria and abroad, the National Universities Commission, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, Federal/State Governments establishments and agencies, as well as private organisations.

He said: “I am confident that recommendations from today’s Guest Lecturer will further help our School of Postgraduate Studies in further re-enforcing the school’s vision to be the best Graduate-School in Africa and Primus inter pares in the world and lead the University to achieve the highest excellence in staff, research, consultancies, academic content and graduates through cutting edge research and by employing up to date acquisition, information analysis and knowledge delivery systems. Other universities would equally benefit from the recommendations from today’s lecture.”