L-R: Deputy Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, and former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion; Guest Speaker, Bishop (Prof.) Dapo Folorunsho Asaju; and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, during the 91st birthday lecture held in honour of the university’s founder, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, on Monday in Okada, Edo State.
By Edward Oseghe
Okada, Edo State
Professor Dapo Folorunsho Asaju, a retired academic and Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ilesa, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s educational curriculum to better align with contemporary national and global needs.
Delivering a lecture titled “The Crown of Glory: Education as Service to Humanity” on Monday in Okada, Edo State, Prof. Asaju emphasised the urgent need to tailor the nation’s academic framework to prioritise innovation, creativity, and agriculture. The lecture was part of events marking the 91st birthday of His Excellency, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, and Founder / Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO).
“To be truly educated is to have some knowledge of everything.
“Our curriculum must evolve to reflect current realities. We need a system that encourages critical thinking, technological adaptation, and practical skills for national development,” Prof. Asaju said.
He warned that the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is posing new challenges to academic integrity and authenticity, stressing the importance of curriculum reform to keep pace with global technological trends.
Drawing on global examples, Prof. Asaju highlighted how nations such as China, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia have leveraged education and innovation to drive socio-economic transformation.
Critiquing current trends in Nigerian education, he decried the growing influence of secularism, which he said is undermining the moral and spiritual foundations of learning.
“Secular education has corrupted academic education,” he noted, adding that “there is an underlying spiritual character to every form of education.”
“Education should produce individuals of integrity — holy writers, ethical thinkers,” he said, while also advocating for improved incentives for university lecturers to enhance teaching quality and student outcomes.
Describing the founding of Igbinedion University as a “crown of glory” on the life of Chief Igbinedion, the guest speaker commended the Esama’s pioneering role in private higher education in Nigeria. He urged other Nigerians of means to emulate Chief Igbinedion’s commitment to societal development through education.
“Life is not just about amassing wealth,” Asaju said, “but about how much we impact humanity.”
In a goodwill message, the Deputy Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada and former Edo State Governor, Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, who represented the Chancellor, described the lecture as one of the most impactful in the Esama’s birthday lecture series.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Professor Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, described the Esama as a towering figure in Nigeria’s educational landscape.
“Igbinedion University is his most enduring legacy — a lasting testament to his love for his people and country.
“As we celebrate the icon today, we also reflect on the core values that define him: a relentless pursuit of excellence, unwavering integrity, compassionate generosity, and abiding faith in God. These are the ideals upon which this institution was built,” Prof. Ezemonye said.
He noted that hosting a lecture in honour of Chief Igbinedion’s birthday was symbolic, as it underscored the founder’s lifelong commitment to intellectual empowerment and the advancement of knowledge.
“When the history of private university education in Nigeria is written, the first chapter will be reserved for our Chancellor.
“At a time when the path was uncharted, and the obstacles daunting, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion envisioned the possibility of expanding access to quality education. He established a citadel of learning that set a gold standard in academic excellence, moral rectitude, and community service,” he added.
