By Felix Khanoba
Former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has called on Miva Open University to prioritize critical thinking and problem-solving skills to reshape educational outcomes.
Osinbajo made this statement while delivering the keynote address at the institution’s 2024 Matriculation Ceremony, held in Abuja on Saturday.
He emphasized that today’s workforce demands innovative, tech-savvy individuals capable of effective collaboration and co-creation.
“The type of employees that employers now require are those who are innovative, efficient, tech-savvy, problem-solvers, and skilled collaborators or co-creators,” Osinbajo stated.
He also urged educational policymakers, educators, students, and employers to align with this new approach to address real-world challenges.
He lauded the university’s potential, describing it as a model for the future of higher education in Africa. Osinbajo noted that online universities like Miva could bridge the gap for the increasing number of young people seeking higher education but unable to gain access through traditional institutions.
“Miva Open University is the future of university education. Growth and high student enrollment are at the forefront. We believe that higher education in Africa can reach more individuals if we go beyond building physical universities,” Osinbajo remarked.
He cited data showing that over 1.7 million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) annually, but only about 400,000 gain admission to universities. “This leaves around 1.3 million young people without access to university education each year,” he said with concern.
Osinbajo further emphasized the need to rethink educational models, arguing that the traditional approach of physical infrastructure alone cannot meet the demand for university education.
“We must understand that education, as we knew it, has changed forever. How and what we teach will evolve, driven by the skills the market demands now and will expect in the future,” he added.
He encouraged students to adopt integrity, hard work, and diligence as fundamental values for achieving lasting success.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of Miva Open University, Prof. Tayo Arulogun, urged the new students to take full advantage of the skills, knowledge, and digital competencies offered by the institution.
“As students of this vibrant learning community, I encourage you to embrace opportunities to network, collaborate, and learn from your peers, professors, and professionals,” Arulogun said.
The acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, commended Miva Open University for its commitment to providing quality education and improving access to higher education.
He highlighted the importance of collaboration between institutions to further enhance the sector.
Prof. Chuks Ekwueme, one of the newly inducted Professors of Practice in Computer Science, expressed his satisfaction with the recognition. Ekwueme, who is also Chairman of Uniccon Group, advised students to remain focused and work diligently to achieve their goals.
One of the matriculating students, Emmanuel Imoh-Abasi, shared her reason for choosing Miva Open University, stating, “The flexibility the university offers allows me to pursue other business ventures alongside my studies.”
