Governor Makinde Calls for Heavy Investment in Science and Technology in Nigeria
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has urged both the federal and state governments to invest significantly in science and technology to enable the nation to meet the demands of today’s technology-driven world.
Makinde made this statement while delivering the lecture at the inaugural convocation of Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State on Tuesday.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, Makinde warned that unless Nigeria invested in innovative competition, resilience, and strategic foresight, it might continue to fall behind contemporary nations.
In the convocation address titled, “The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Future of Work: Implications for Nigerian Graduates,” Makinde pointed out that countries like South Korea have become global technology giants due to their significant investment in education and innovation as a national priority.
“Self-sufficiency is not about isolation, but about the sustainable use of local resources, talent, and technologies while engaging effectively in the global market,” he stated.
He emphasized that the federal and state governments must invest substantially in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and innovation as a means to drive transformation.
“A country’s global competitiveness is not solely based on natural resources, as seen in Nigeria, but on its capacity for innovation,” Makinde asserted.
He identified challenges facing the country, such as youth unemployment, reliance on foreign technologies, and underused human and natural resources.
“We are a nation of over 200 million people, filled with talent, energy, and potential. Yet, we are confronted with undeniable challenges. A large portion of young Nigerians face difficulties securing meaningful employment, while the nation continues to import what it should be producing locally, from basic goods to advanced technologies. This is despite our abundance of talent and resources, which we are not fully exploiting.”
In his commencement address at the event, the High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Humphrey Geiseb, described the graduates as future leaders who will shape the country’s direction. He emphasized that education is a versatile and powerful tool that transcends borders, encouraging the graduates to contribute positively to society.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Prof. Victor Olanrewaju, urged the Federal Government to reconsider its stance on the Tertiary Education Fund to include private universities. Olanrewaju argued that this inclusion would support the growth of private institutions.
“These universities contribute significantly to youth security, development, and engagement in the country,” he remarked.
The Vice Chancellor of TAU, Prof. Franscisca Oladipo, announced that 26 graduates emerged for the convocation, with six achieving first-class honours, 14 receiving second-class honours (Upper Division), four obtaining second-class honours (Lower Division), and one graduate with third-class honours.
The founder of the university, Johnson Adewumi, after being honoured by the chancellor, recounted the university’s challenging journey to its current success, highlighting that TAU is not just producing graduates but also job creators.