UI Vice-Chancellor Reaffirms University’s Strategic Role in Africa’s Development

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, has underscored the institution’s long-standing conviction that its future is inseparably tied to the future of the African continent.

He stated that UI’s mission has always aligned with Africa’s broader aspirations for progress and transformation.

Professor Adebowale made the remark during the Convocation Lecture held as part of activities marking the university’s 77th Foundation Day and 2025 Convocation Ceremonies. He emphasized that, for more than seven decades, UI has consistently served as a powerhouse of knowledge, nurturing leaders, innovators, and thinkers whose influence extends across Nigeria and the continent.

He noted that the theme of the 2025 Convocation Lecture, “Agenda 2063: All Hands on Deck for the Africa We Want,” was intentionally chosen to reflect UI’s role in shaping the future of Africa. According to him, the theme reinforces the institution’s responsibility as a hub for designing and driving Africa’s long-term development agenda. He added that the convocation lecture serves as a reminder that the Africa envisioned must be conceptualised and built within institutions such as UI.

The Vice-Chancellor described the convocation lecturer, former African Union Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, Her Excellency Professor Sarah Anyang Agbor, as a distinguished academic, accomplished administrator, and a proud alumna of the University of Ibadan.

Delivering her lecture, Professor Agbor described Agenda 2063 as a continental covenant designed to mobilise collective action toward Africa’s prosperity. She noted that the agenda is not merely a policy document but a declaration of confidence in Africa’s ability to define its own future. She explained that it calls for reflection on Africa’s history, critical assessment of current realities, and construction of a shared future built on resilience and innovation.

Professor Agbor acknowledged the continent’s progress in governance, with democratisation taking deeper root and institutions gradually becoming more accountable. However, she noted that corruption, institutional weakness, capacity gaps, and the divergence between formal policies and informal practices continue to hinder development.

She outlined the seven core aspirations of Agenda 2063, including inclusive and sustainable development, continental integration, good governance, peace and security, cultural renaissance, people-driven development, and Africa’s emergence as a global powerhouse.

Professor Agbor emphasised that universities remain the intellectual engine rooms of national and continental transformation. She argued that higher institutions must embody innovation, transparency, and community relevance if they are to drive Africa’s renaissance. She warned that indiscipline, bureaucracy, and moral decline risk weakening the very institutions meant to lead Africa’s progress.

She further recommended strategic investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, green development, technology, and urban resilience. Professor Agbor also called for the decolonisation of African education systems, urging universities to design curricula that combine global competencies with local realities. She cited initiatives such as the African Academy of Science as effective models for grounding scientific and humanities education in African contexts.