By Apata Oyeniran

Copyright independent

… Worries Over Strain In Education Sector

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) Alumni Association, on Monday, announced activities lined up to mark its 55th Anniversary dinner and awards schedule for Friday, October 17th, 2025, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking during a press conference that was held at the Alumni Building at the Akoka Main Campus of the institution, Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele, President Worldwide, University Of Lagos Alumni Association disclosed that Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria; Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, the Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Council, UNILAG and Dr. John Momoh, the Chairman, Channels Group are to the honoured in the Alumni Platinum Award category.

According to him, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will be the special guest of honour, while Olorun Dr. Sonny Kuku, the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, will chair the occasion alongside other distinguished guests and dignitaries.

He disclosed that the distinguished alumni award category will feature Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. H.E. Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, the former Governor of Gombe State; Mr. Kola Adesina, the Group Managing Director of Sahara Group; HRM (Prof.) Epiphany Azinge, SAN, the Asagba of Asaba; Chief (Mrs.) Folashade Okoya, the Managing Director, Eleganza Fashion Products Ltd., and Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, the former Attorney General of the Federation.

Other notable Nigerians to be honoured in the Lifetime Achievement Award category are

Chief Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu, Chairman of Premier Loto Ltd.; Chief Tunde Fanimokun, Managing Director of Folawiyo Group; and Distinguished Senator (Dr.) Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Majority Leader.

Engr. Oyedele, President Worldwide of the UNILAG Alumni Association, explained that the recognition and awards night is not just another event on the calendar, but the flagship gathering of the institution’s alumni to celebrate excellence, honour outstanding contributions, and importantly to raise much-needed funds to support their alma mater.

He said, “Beyond the glamour, the event will mobilise direct support for projects that will touch lives and improve the quality of education at the University of Lagos towards the following goals: Scholarship support for bright but indigent students, support for critical infrastructural development aimed at further propelling the University of Lagos among the best in the world and the imperatives for development initiatives.”

Speaking on the pressing issues facing the education sector, Engr. Oyedele lamented that the sector is facing strains at all levels of learning.

He enumerated some of the challenges to include “Inadequate funding that leaves our schools struggling to deliver quality education; the alarming brain drain, with our best-trained minds leaving for greener pastures abroad; curriculum gap, where too often, what is taught does not match the needs of today’s labour market or prepare graduates for tomorrow’s jobs and of course, the persistent challenge of welfare for our teachers, lecturers, and researchers, the very people tasked with shaping the minds of the next generation.”

However, he lauded the ongoing efforts of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s introduction of the Nigerian Educational Loan Fund (NELFUND) to provide loans for students in tertiary schools and scholarships to students of vocational and technical colleges.

He lauded the partnership and leadership roles being played by UNILAG Alumni Association in its collective responsibility and choice to be part of solutions through scholarship and mentorship, donation of equipment and resources that improve research and teaching, and advocacy, ensuring that issues of education remain on the front burner of national conversation.

He charged stakeholders, ‘We must be clear: if education collapses, every other sector will eventually collapse.’

He added that without quality education, we can’t innovate, compete globally, and secure a prosperous future for Nigeria.

Otunba Lekan Ajisafe, the 2nd Vice President and Chairman, 55th Anniversary explained that the awards and recognition dinner is the second phase of the event which started last year.

“Great Nigerians have been carefully selected for their contributions to education, society, and University of Lagos. Let me inform you that the award is for only deserving Nigerians. We want people to know that investment in education is not a waste but national building,” he said.