Olamide Olulana
Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, has stated that university lecturers are employed to think, teach, and conduct research, not merely to teach.
He made this known while delivering his keynote address as the guest speaker for the public lecture marking Adekunle Ajasin University’s 14th Convocation Ceremony held on 11th, December 2025, at the university’s multipurpose hall (OBJ).
Following the opening remark made by the Vice-Chancellor of AAUA, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, Prof. Olayinka speaks on the theme “Strengthening the Academic Tradition in the Nigerian University System,” He emphasized that the primary function of a university is research. “Without a strong research culture, a university is no different from a glorified secondary school,” he said
He stressed the need for Nigerian universities to groom innovative entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, visionary leaders, and change-makers who can compete globally. According to him, world-class institutions such as Harvard University excel because of their firm commitment to research and the concentration of high-quality talent.
As part of his recommendations for improving Nigeria’s university system, Prof. Olayinka suggested that honorary degrees should be reserved strictly for qualified professionals, rather than serving public officials, to prevent the misuse of such recognitions.
He further called for stronger collaboration between universities, the government, and private industries. Such partnerships, he said, would enable the commercialization of research outputs, ensure that intellectual property can be transferred to industry, and attract stakeholders willing to invest in and scale up impactful innovations.
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