By Akinnodi Francis, Ondo

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adebayo Segun Adenipekun, has emphasised the need for effective partnership between the management of Adeyemi Federal University of Education (AFUED), Ondo, and its Alumni Association to accelerate the development of the institution and make it globally competitive.

Adenipekun, who is also an alumnus of the institution, made this statement in a paper presented at the university to commemorate its 61st Founder’s Day, themed “Adeyemi Federal University of Education: A Tortuous but Eventful Journey to Greatness,” recently.

The senior legal practitioner described the trajectory of the institution from its establishment as a College of Education to its current status as a University of Education as arduous, saying the period was “marked by decades of determination, legal battles, and administrative hurdles.”

He highlighted the role played by the institution’s alumni association in achieving university status, stating, “While many others, including traditional rulers, political leaders, college councils, and federal authorities played key roles, it was the alumni’s unwavering dedication and strategic leadership that most directly shaped the institution’s elevation to Adeyemi Federal University of Education.”

He described alumni associations as indispensable to institutional development, stating that their contributions in financial, professional, reputational, strategic, and social aspects are integral to the success and progress of any institution.

He said, “In an era where higher education faces mounting challenges from funding constraints and global competition, the active participation of alumni can be a cornerstone of resilience and innovation.

“Therefore, a strategic focus on alumni relations should be a priority for any university aiming for excellence and sustainability.”

The senior legal luminary commended members of the AFUED Alumni Association for their efforts in developing the institution. He particularly lauded one of its members, His Excellency Ambassador Godson Echegile, for “his unwavering support to the university.”

Speaking on the state of education in Nigeria, Adenipekun urged the Federal Government to leverage the establishment of various specialised institutions aimed at promoting science, technology, and education to foster national development by providing adequate funding for their operations.

He listed the problems facing Nigeria’s specialised universities to include inadequate funding, corruption, mismanagement of available funds, infrastructural deficiencies, and a shortage of qualified staff.

Others, he said, include poor remuneration and welfare, lack of professional development, outdated curricula, political interference, lack of autonomy, cultism, and other social vices.

According to him, these problems have adversely affected the operations of specialised institutions, hindering their ability to provide quality education, conduct impactful research, and contribute effectively to national development.

As a solution, he stressed the need for concerted efforts by the government, university administrations, staff unions, students, and other stakeholders to tackle these problems.

He advocated for increased and sustained funding, improved governance, strategic planning, investment in infrastructure and technology, enhanced teacher training and welfare, as well as curriculum reforms and a strong commitment to academic excellence and integrity.