Brain drain: UNILORIN VC canvasses state of emergency in higher education sector

The Vice-Chancellor, VC, of the University of Ilorin, UNILORIN, Professor Wahab Egbewole, on Friday urged governments at all levels to declare a state of emergency in the higher education sector to address the brain drain syndrome.

“Our institutions need more hands to deliver on their mandates and funds for serious academic works, researches and collaborations for the desired outputs,” he declared at the 37th and 38th combined convocation ceremonies of the institution held at the main campus in Ilorin.

Over 25,000 graduates were produced by the institution for the combined 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic sessions with 450 graduating with First Class Honours.

The VC, in his speech titled ‘The End is Better’, said the event marks the culmination of years of hardwork, dedication and perseverance by the students, adding ” or it is not an end, but the beginning of a new chapter your lives”.

“The world is facing significant challenges, from climate change to social inequality and it is up to you to be the agents of change,” he charged the graduating students.

He challenged them to think critically, think without a box, be open minded and collaborate with others to find solutions to the complex issues.

Egbewole disclosed that UNILORIN received TETFund award of N500 million hostel accommodation for students and N200 million for zonal interventions which are being used to execute different projects.

“The University produced four patents in 2022/2022 academic session and currently has a total of 36 patents with the Federal Government through the National Office of Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP, Abuja,” he said.

In his convocation lecture, Professor Toyin Falola, of University of Texas, Austin, United States of America, noted that Nigeria’s socio-economic terrain is currently experiencing a significant widening of disparities in the allocation of wealth, a phenomenon often exacerbated by the swift pace of modernization.

Speaking on ‘Modernity, Modernization and Values’, he said “as urban centers become hubs of economic advancement, a noticeable discrepancy arises whereby rural regions face challenges such as poverty, inadequate provision of essential services and limited opportunities for quality education and healthcare”.