The Vice Chancellor of Summit University Offa in Kwara State, Professor Abiodun Musa Aibinu, says Nigerian universities must become strategic partners in addressing the nation’s insecurity, stressing that the solution goes beyond kinetic responses.
Speaking with journalists during the institution’s fifth and sixth combined convocation, the VC said universities have a duty to counter misinformation, produce technology driven graduates and introduce skills that address both the tactical and non tactical dimensions of insecurity.
Professor Aibinu explained that the university’s Mass Communication department recently secured a grant to combat misinformation, which he described as a major driver of panic and false narratives about insecurity, reports Daily Trust.
According to him, “On the issue of insecurity, not everything is kinetic and at times it has to do with reorientation. Most times information about insecurity is not verified before being shared. What misinformation can do is really great and one way we are contributing is by fighting infodemics through the right orientation.”
He added that the institution is also deploying tactical tools.
“We have a department of mechatronics and electrical engineering and we have democratised drone technology taught from 200 level. We are producing graduates that will be able to fly those drones and use them,” he said.
The VC noted that modern warfare has changed and universities must prepare manpower that understands contemporary technology. “War will never be fought again as it was. What we saw in Israel and Iran when communications were disabled before a strike shows that war is now technology driven.
“Whoever controls coding, computing and connectivity will control the world and that is why China is leading now,” he said.
He added that the university is partnering with industries like Momas to build drones and electric vehicles as part of its contribution to national security and economic development.
Professor Aibinu called on universities to introduce courses that support national stability.
“Universities must ensure they fight infodemics and introduce skills to fight insecurity. These include financial literacy, clean and renewable energy, artificial intelligence and ICT, family and leadership skills, history heritage and storytelling, Islam and global citizenship and Acadoprenurship which is turning academic ideas into money generating ventures,” he said.
He warned that the country now has “lots of certificated illiterates” and emphasised that graduates must no longer finish school only to seek vocational training afterwards. “That is wasted years,” he added.
Professor Aibinu announced that the university has produced 26 First Class graduates out of 319 students for the combined convocation.
A total of 164 students finished with Second Class Upper Division, 108 with Second Class Lower Division, while 25 graduated with Third Class. One student earned a Pass.
Describing the convocation as a symbol of progress and determination, he said the university has secured a provisional licence to establish an FM radio station to enhance teaching and learning in Mass Communication.
He said the convocation would also honour Mrs Latifat Gbajabiamila, mother of the Chief of Staff to the President, and present a posthumous award to Alhaji T. A. Olatinwo for their contributions to educational development.
