VC tasks varsities on economic growth, recession

Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU), Akungba, Ondo State, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, has disclosed that universities and research institutions in Nigeria have a major role to play in getting the country out of recession.

The institutions, he noted, also have a huge role to play in combating un-employment and bolstering the resources and revenue base of government.

Ajibefun, who stated this in an interview with The Guardian at the Gala Nite held in Akure in honour of the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, said the institution would support the governor in achieving the content of his contract with people of the state, part of which he listed during his swearing-in ceremony at the weekend.

He noted that one of the reasons for setting up universities and research institutions was to partner with government in times of emergencies and urgent national needs as we have in the country today.

He added that universities and researchers in most developed countries in the past had at one time or the other had been called upon to rescue the countries in times of emergencies.

Ajibefun, an agric-economist, argued that for universities to play their roles effectively as employment creation and entrepreneurial centres in periods of recession, there is need to review their curricula and tailor them to the strategic needs of the country.

He advised the governor to hit the ground running in his determination to combat un-employment when he vowed to make agriculture attractive, promote large scale commercial farming and give entrepreneurial skills to youths and graduates.

He added that AAU and sister institutions in the state have comparative advantage in these areas.