By Mustapha Oyindamola
The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, has urged universities to rethink their systems and expand their core values to meet current realities and societal expectations.
He delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 3rd KU8+ Consortium International Conference at Kwara State University(KWASU) Malete.
Ribadu,who was represented by former acting ViceChancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Adebola Babatunde Ekanola, stated that the nation’s universities are face challenges, such as limited financing and rapid technological changes, therefore they should expand their scope to integrate modern trends.
He praised the KU8+ Consortium as a pioneering initiative worthy of emulation by other universities.
The KU8+ is a dynamic consortium of universities in Kwara State, Nigeria, serving as leaders in education, research, and community development, driving socio-economic transformation and fostering global excellence. They include, University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, Landmark University, Thomas Adewumi University, Ahman Pategi University, Ojaja University, Summit University, and Al-Hikmah University.
The NUC Executive Secretary hailed the KU8+ for fostering local partnerships through resource pooling and shared expertise, adding that such collaborations could produce graduates capable of transforming the nation’s economy.
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Kwara State Commissioner of Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, reiterated the state government’s commitment to strengthening tertiary institutions through strategic investments and policy reform.
The Chairman of the occasion and Pro-Chancellor of KWASU, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, described the consortium’s emergence as proof of Kwara State’s growing role as a hub for human capital development.
Chief host and Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, noted that national development depends on constructive collaboration in teaching, research, innovation, and community engagement, which he said is one of the motivating factors for the KU8+ Consortium.
He said no university can thrive in isolation.
KWASU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shaykh-Luqman Alade Jimoh, stressed that innovation and sustainability remain central to the KU8+ Consortium’s mission, adding that the conference theme aligns with KU8+’s vision to collaborate, innovate, and develop society.
The conference, which had the theme: “Innovation and Sustainability of Higher Education in a Changing World,” had lead papers presented by Prof. Olutayo Adesina, a Professor of History at the University of Ibadan, who is also a British Academy Global Professor of History at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, and Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola, a former Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Abeokuta.
Adesina’s paper entitled; “Mainstreaming the ‘Think and Do’ Initiative into Nigeria’s Higher Education in the 21st Century: Creating Structural Opportunities and Adding Value” challenged the KU8+ Consortium to focus more on being relevant on the local level before aspiring to regional level.
Prof. Babalola in her submission, underscored the importance of higher education institutions focusing on producing graduates with the capacity to solve societal problems.