Professor Kayode Ijadunola, Vice Chancellor of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, has sounded the alarm over rising energy costs, which he says threaten the sustainability of Nigeria’s universities by 2025.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the institution’s combined 8th and 9th convocation scheduled for November 6, Ijadunola highlighted that recent hikes in energy bills, especially from transitioning to the Band A electricity billing system, have placed immense financial strain on the university.
“The cost of energy has at least tripled in the last few months,” he explained, adding that power supply remains erratic, forcing the institution to rely on costly diesel-powered generators as backup.
Graduation and Honors
Elizade University will graduate 484 students across the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions. Among them, 51 earned First Class honors, while 196 achieved Second Class Upper, 191 Second Class Lower, and 46 Third Class. Additionally, the university will confer 16 Postgraduate Diplomas, 51 Master’s degrees, two Master of Philosophy degrees, and five Doctor of Philosophy degrees. For the first time, honorary doctoral degrees will be awarded to Apostle Folorunso Alakija, a prominent philanthropist, and Chief Tunde Afolabi, MFR, CEO of Amni Petroleum Ltd.
Impact of “Japa” Migration Trend on Universities
The Vice Chancellor expressed concerns over the “Japa” trend, where young Nigerian professionals and graduates migrate abroad in search of better opportunities. He stated, “The push and pull factors of the global workforce ecosystem… have taken a toll on the Nigerian university system.” He noted that attracting and retaining skilled staff, especially in health and academic roles, has become challenging, with many choosing to pursue careers abroad immediately after graduation.
Ijadunola emphasized the need to improve living conditions, economic stability, and security in Nigeria to curb this trend, explaining, “In the past, professionals would return to Nigeria because of favorable conditions. Now, the reverse is the case, and young people are seeking survival elsewhere.”
Convocation Significance
The upcoming convocation is particularly significant as it marks the first doctoral degrees awarded by the university, including the recently established Faculty of Allied Health Sciences. The institution, Ijadunola noted, continues to leverage its networks to attract staff capable of supporting its mission of excellence in teaching, research, and community service.
