TAU Vice-Chancellor Presents Nigeria’s Engineering Education Model at Russia-Africa Rectors’ Session

The Vice-Chancellor of Thomas Adewumi University (TAU), Professor Francisca Onaolapo Oladipo, has presented Nigeria’s engineering education system at the Academic Session for Russian and African Rectors in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Professor Oladipo was the only Nigerian vice-chancellor among the session’s speakers. The event was hosted by Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University in collaboration with the Association of African Universities and the UNESCO International Competence Centre for Mining-Engineering Education.

Her presentation, titled “From Ore to Engineer”, emphasised the need to develop local expertise in engineering and mineral processing, noting that while infrastructure can be imported, technical capabilities must be developed locally.

She proposed joint postgraduate training programmes in minerals processing and metallurgy, the development of intelligent mining systems powered by African-owned data, and stronger career pathways for technicians and technologists.

The presentation received sustained applause from rectors and delegates at the session.

“Africa’s minerals will be processed somewhere. The question is who will be trained to do it,” she said.