By Olawale Olurotimi
New Dean outlines vision for academic transformation, lauds federal reforms while advocating improved welfare for university lecturers.
Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Progressive Support Group (APSG) and the Confident Women Development Initiatives (CWDI) recently paid a congratulatory visit to Professor Joseph Olayinka Awoyinfa following his assumption of office as the new Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Reflecting on his academic journey from his first degree at the University of Calabar to his postgraduate studies at UNILAG, Professor Awoyinfa expressed his deep commitment to giving back to the institution. He outlined a strategic vision focused on sanitizing, rebuilding, and transforming the faculty to match international standards seen in world-class institutions, placing student dignity and staff welfare at the center of his administration.
Addressing the state of higher education in Nigeria, the Dean highlighted the urgent need to expand facilities to match the university’s growing student population, which has risen to over 90,000. He emphasized that physical infrastructure, classrooms, and libraries must expand alongside student numbers to foster an environment conducive to learning. Reminiscing on earlier days when hostel spaces and meals were readily available, Professor Awoyinfa noted that current realities—such as overcrowded lecture halls containing over 1,000 students—call for immediate intervention, continuous faculty development, and dedicated infrastructure support to help lecturers deliver quality instruction.
On national governance and policy reforms, Professor Awoyinfa commended the current federal administration for implementing key educational interventions, notably the student loan initiative designed to ensure higher education remains accessible to children of everyday citizens, including market women, drivers, and mechanics. He noted that such measures, alongside broad infrastructural developments, reflect a commitment to human capital development akin to successful international growth models. However, he also urged the government to extend reforms to address staff welfare directly, pointing out that resolving outstanding salary arrears from past strikes remains crucial for maintaining lecturer morale and stability across public universities.
The Dean called on academia and the public to adopt a solution-driven mindset rather than relying on passive criticism. He urged researchers and university faculties to actively collaborate with federal authorities by proposing actionable, research-backed solutions to national challenges, rather than remaining detached during civic processes. Professor Awoyinfa warned against civic apathy, reminding citizens that failing to participate in elections leaves governance decisions in the hands of others, while stressing the importance of positive reorientation across all sectors of society.
Furthermore, Professor Awoyinfa emphasized the revitalization of student leadership following the lifting of the embargo on student unionism at UNILAG. With a dedicated student union building now in place, the faculty aims to actively train and mentor students in structured leadership, governance, and administration. By instilling these core values early, the university seeks to prepare competent, responsible leaders equipped to take on national responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to the country’s future growth.
