Catholic Bishop of Ondo Urges Universities to Enhance Societal Impact
The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Jude Arogundade, has called on Nigerian universities to intensify efforts in solving societal problems, generating ideas, developing products, and enhancing human capital.
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The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Jude Arogundade, has called on Nigerian universities to intensify efforts in solving societal problems, generating ideas, developing products, and enhancing human capital.
He delivered the message during a sermon at the Interdenominational Service held at St. Albert’s Catholic Chaplaincy on November 9, 2025, marking the 36th convocation of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA).
Bishop Arogundade emphasized that specialized universities like FUTA were established to create meaningful impact in society. He stated, “The university is a place of reflection, study, and research. The goal of teaching and research is to add value to the lives of humanity, and universities cannot afford to fall short of this mandate.”
He urged the university community to focus on accurate information, proper character formation, and transformational outcomes. “The information you get must be transformational. It must be about making the world better and giving meaning to God’s world. Transformation is the output of education and Christianity that serves God and humanity selflessly,” he said.
Drawing from Ezekiel 47:1-12, Bishop Arogundade likened the life-giving water of scripture to the role of universities in society. “As people of God, we are called to bring life and healing to society. Just as the church embodies the teachings of Jesus Christ to improve the world, universities must strive to make Nigeria a better place,” he explained.
He further compared the church to tertiary institutions, saying, “Just as the goodness of God flows from the house of God into the world, FUTA, as a research-centered university, must bring solutions to societal problems and uphold justice and truth.” Addressing graduating students, he encouraged them to be creative, purposeful, and proactive in transforming their communities. He also appealed to the Federal Government to tackle insurgency, banditry, and terrorism to secure national development.
In her remarks, FUTA Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, highlighted the University’s leadership in technological innovation and the production of self-reliant graduates. She noted that the recent agricultural subvention from the Federal Government would further empower FUTA to contribute to food security, employment creation, and economic growth in Nigeria.
