Professor Adelaja Odukoya of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has cautioned that a failed Nigerian state would be disastrous for both leaders and citizens, urging the country to prioritize the welfare of its people.
Delivering his inaugural lecture titled “Armageddon”, Odukoya condemned the greed of the political elite, accusing them of amassing wealth at the expense of the masses while deepening socio-economic inequalities. Despite Africa’s vast resources, he noted, the continent remains plagued by poverty, insecurity, and poor governance due to corruption.
He called on intellectuals and citizens to champion selfless leadership, warning that Africa risks global irrelevance.
Odukoya also criticized the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for excessive charges on university applicants, calling its centralized admission system outdated and a violation of institutional autonomy.
“We are allowing JAMB and its registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, to get away with blue murder—intruding into university affairs and exploiting hapless admission seekers with endless charges,” he stated.
Labelling JAMB a “revenue-generating behemoth,” he argued that its funds rightfully belong to universities.
“It’s time we held a requiem mass for JAMB,” he declared, advocating for universities to conduct independent admissions.
Despite two million candidates sitting for UTME annually, Odukoya noted, only a quarter secure admission while JAMB continues to declare surpluses.
“The world has moved beyond centralized admission systems,” he said, urging a shift to more inclusive models.
Representing UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola, Deputy VC (Academics and Research) Professor Bola Oboh commended Odukoya for his scholarly contributions and fearless advocacy.
“Professor Odukoya is a thoroughbred alumnus of UNILAG and continues to serve the university meritoriously,” Ogunsola remarked.
The lecture underscored the urgent need for political and educational reforms to foster a fairer society.
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