The Chancellor, Southwestern University, Okun Owa, Ogun State, Babatunde Odufuwa, has declared that to be globally relevant, Nigerian students must acquire more skills than certificates.
He said the 21st-century employability space in the world would give more attention to skills than certificates.
Speaking at the third convocation of the institution held at Okun Owa in Odogbolu local government area of Ogun State, Odufuwa noted that education curricula in various countries are made to reflect the requirements of the global economy through e-learning and e-commerce, among others.
He lamented that there is a growing disconnect between products of Nigerian tertiary institutions and the skill requirements of the economy.
Odufuwa, who called for more focused investment in learning, said a nation’s growth and development rest on the quality of education of the people.
“In many countries, education is viewed as a good investment for national development, as it is expected that it will produce the quality and quantity of human resources required for economic growth,” Odufuwa stated.
He, therefore, advised the government to pay attention to students in private institutions.
The chancellor, who congratulated the graduating students for their academic feat, enjoined them to be worthy ambassadors of the school.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Amusa Adetunji, charged the graduands to be agents of impact to the society.
He restated the institution’s commitment to producing morally sound graduates, who would positively impact society.
In his convocation lecture, a former Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr John Abolurin, said education has a vital role to play in shaping the future of a nation.
He, however, urged the graduating students to do their best and invest in knowledge to have an edge.
Eminent personalities like the wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun; Chief Executive Officer, Loatsad promo-media, Seyi Tinubu, and the Managing Director, Upperlink, Olusegun Akano, were conferred with honorary doctorate degrees for their contributions to higher education in the country.
Akano, in his keynote address, urged the graduands to uphold the principle of hard work as they go into the labour market.
He also enjoined them to have hope in Nigeria and position their minds towards problem-solving for a better country.
