Professor Urges Nigerian Universities to Shift from Theory to Innovation as He Retires After 46 Years
Professor Babatunde Ogunsanwo of Olabisi Onabanjo University announced his retirement after 46 years of service and called for universities to become centers of innovation and enterprise.
In Brief
- •Professor Babatunde Ogunsanwo of Olabisi Onabanjo University announced his retirement after 46 years of service and called for universities to become centers of innovation and enterprise.
- •He delivered a valedictory lecture titled “Ailele, But the Beat Goes On” on Tuesday, presenting a framework that emphasizes entrepreneurship, collective investment and institutional boldness.
- •Ogunsanwo highlighted the inadequacy of government funding, questioning the commitment of successive administrations and the sustainability of the Education Tax Act No. 7 of 1993 and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
- •He urged universities to take responsibility for their survival and development in an environment of limited public support.
- •The call comes amid ongoing debates over the effectiveness of the Education Tax Fund and the need for more transparent, long‑term funding mechanisms.
Why It Matters
Nigeria’s public universities have long struggled with chronic underfunding, which hampers research, infrastructure and graduate employability. Ogunsanwo’s appeal underscores a growing recognition that universities must diversify revenue streams and foster innovation to remain viable and contribute to national economic growth. His emphasis on entrepreneurship and collective investment could reshape the higher‑education sector, potentially creating new jobs and driving local development.
Key Details
- Retirement Year
- 2026
- Years of Service
- 46
- University
- Olabisi Onabanjo University
- Lecture Title
- Ailele, But the Beat Goes On
- Funding Mechanism
- Education Tax Act No. 7 of 1993 (2% tax on assessable profits)
Context & Background
In the early 1990s, Nigeria’s universities faced severe underfunding following the Structural Adjustment Programme. The Education Tax Fund, later rebranded as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, was established to address this gap, but its long‑term sustainability remains contested.
Original Reporting & Sources
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