Academics urged to join politics

The Registrar of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Mr. Dapo Oke, has issued a compelling call for Nigerian academics to step out of their ivory towers and engage directly in partisan politics. This is not merely a suggestion but a passionate plea, articulated during the inauguration of the Ogun State Tertiary Intellects for President Bola Tinubu and Senator Solomon Adeola support group. Oke argues that intellectuals can no longer afford to remain detached observers, lamenting the exclusion of brilliant minds from leadership roles.

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Why should intellectuals not be involved in governance? For how much longer will we allow others to assume leadership roles while excluding the most brilliant minds in academia?

Oke's address, delivered in Abeokuta, underscored the unique position of academia as the nation's conscience and engine of innovation. He stressed that the knowledge acquired through research and teaching is precisely what Nigeria needs to navigate its complex challenges. By actively participating, intellectuals can bring principled decision-making, a deep understanding of past mistakes, and a clear vision for moving forward, thereby enhancing governance and fostering equity, fairness, and justice.

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One of the best things that can happen to our nation today is to have intellectuals—people who are knowledgeable and learned—be involved in politics.

The inauguration of the support group, comprising some 2,000 tertiary institution workers, highlights a growing movement to translate academic expertise into political action. Their backing for President Tinubu's re-election bid and Senator Adeola's governorship ambition signifies a strategic alignment of intellectual capital with political aspirations. This initiative, as framed by Oke and supported by the group's members, represents a visionary step towards a more informed and effective political landscape in Nigeria.

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It will make things easier because these are people who are highly principled. They understand where we are coming from, what went wrong in the past, and how we can move forward.