In a bid to tackle the growing economic challenges in communities surrounding Nigerian universities, education experts are calling for a stronger partnership between academic institutions and local residents to foster economic development.
Many universities in Nigeria currently possess vast amounts of underutilized land, which could be harnessed for agricultural projects and other economic activities that benefit local communities. Meanwhile, a significant portion of youth living in these areas face high levels of unemployment, exacerbated by a lack of practical educational opportunities.
Read Also: PDP Zoning Tussle Intensifies: Utaan Insists Chairmanship Stays in Benue
Historically, Nigerian educational curricula placed strong emphasis on practical skills, which equipped students with tools for immediate community development. However, over time, this focus has diminished, creating a widening gap between universities and the societies they are meant to serve. To address this issue, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) recently launched a specialized training program for over 100 university professors, aimed at promoting community engagement and a skill-based approach to higher education.
During the program, TETFUND’s Executive Secretary, alongside several prominent professors, stressed the importance of universities playing an active role in local economic development. They advocated for the integration of entrepreneurial thinking within academic curricula and emphasized the need for universities to form partnerships with local businesses and communities. Such initiatives, they argued, would not only help combat poverty and unemployment but also pave the way for sustainable development.
“This is an urgent call for universities to rethink their approach. They have the potential to be major catalysts for local growth,” said one of the professors involved in the program.
By aligning academic efforts with the needs of surrounding communities, Nigerian universities could unlock untapped potential, creating a brighter future for both students and the communities they serve. The consensus from experts is clear: universities must become engines of local economic growth, using education as a tool to reduce poverty and inequality while fostering sustainable development across the nation.