Ex-JAMB registrar tasks Kwara varsities on solutions to socio-economic challenges

Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the immediate past Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, has called on universities in Kwara State to serve as the state's "developmental brain box" by offering research-driven solutions to its socio-economic challenges. Oloyede, who also chairs the Board of Trustees of the Consortium of Universities in Kwara State (KU8+), made this appeal on Friday during the opening ceremony of the fourth KU8+ Conference held at Summit University, Offa.

The conference brought together university administrators, academics, researchers, policymakers, government officials, and industry leaders to focus on strengthening collaboration, research, innovation, and societal impact within the higher education sector. Professor Oloyede stressed that universities should extend their roles beyond teaching and awarding degrees, actively contributing to policymaking and developing practical solutions for their host communities. He stated, "Universities should be positioned to anticipate emerging challenges and help governments prepare for the future through research, innovation and evidence-based recommendations."

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Universities should be positioned to anticipate emerging challenges and help governments prepare for the future through research, innovation and evidence-based recommendations.

Oloyede further emphasized the importance of neutrality for universities, asserting they must remain apolitical to provide objective advice to governments and help formulate policies promoting sustainable development. He recalled declining a national election presiding officer appointment during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, believing universities should act as credible mediators in political disagreements.

Challenging the KU8+ institutions, Oloyede urged them to utilize their combined expertise and Kwara State's concentration of agricultural research bodies to transform the state's agricultural sector. He highlighted institutions like the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute and the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, suggesting stronger partnerships to develop innovative solutions for agricultural productivity, food security, and economic growth. He also encouraged universities to apply research and innovation toward reviving the state's dormant industries, such as the Bacita Sugar Company and Jebba Paper Mill.

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They must remain apolitical and play a sanitising role by providing objective advice to governments and helping to formulate policies capable of promoting sustainable development.