Stakeholders in the education sector across Nigeria have been charged to focus on the challenges of balancing access to education with maintaining high academic standards.
A renowned scholar and professor of Educational Management in the University of Ibadan, Professor Femi Akinwumi gave the charge while delivering the 605th inaugural lecture of the University titled “Achieving Quality Amidst Quantity: The Paradox of Managing Education in Nigeria.”
Prof. Akinwumi highlighted the tension between expanding access to education which is quantity and maintaining high academic standards; that is the quality within the Nigerian socio-economic context, proffering strategic solutions for navigating the complexities of the nation’s school systems as well as practical strategies and best practices for delivering quality education amid rising enrolment and increasing demand.
He seized the forum to provide deeper insights into human resources development, effective leadership, sound educational administration and sustainable reforms necessary to reposition the Nigeria educational system for excellence.
Prof. Akinwumi who becomes the fifth to deliver inaugural lectures in the Department of Educational Management of the country’s premier university also explored the opportunity to analyze his contributions to educational development by informing policy decisions on education management in Nigeria and stimulating discussion on quality education amidst growing demands for learning opportunities in a resource -constrained settings.
Born in Aramoko Ekiti, Professor Akinwumi, who is also the Executive Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), attended Erinjiyan/Ikogosi High School and later the University of Ibadan to obtain a bachelor of education degree in Educational Management/Economics (second class upper division) in 1991, master’s degree in Personnel administration in 1994 and a P hd in Educational Management in year 2000.
Prof. Akinwumi started his academic career in the Department of Educational Management, University of Ibadan as an assistant lecturer in 1999, and rose through the ranks to become a full professor in 2013.
He is a skilled Education Manager with a wide range of experience acquired nationally and internationally in areas requiring excellent training and development, quality assurance in education systems administration and reformation having supervised about 28 doctoral graduates, with over120 academic publications to his credit and has also consulted for organisations such as UNESCO,UNICEF and the Nigeria Union of Teachers.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale who presided over the occasion emphasized the importance of academic excellence, and the university’s commitment to quality education through human capital development.
Prof. Adebowale lauded the inaugural lecturer for the thought provoking lecture, describing it as insightful and engaging.
Also speaking, the wife of Ekiti State Governor, Professor Olayemi Oyebanji said the lecture had examined the pressing need for quality in our education sector, stressing that it reaffirmed the truth that expanding access to education must go hand in hand with maintaining high standards.
She commended Prof. Akinwumi for providing deep insights into human resources development, effective leadership, sound educational administration and sustainable reforms necessary to reposition the educational systems, adding that the inaugural lecture was a remarkable academic milestone worthy of celebration.
The event was attended by academics, policy makers, educators and stakeholders from across the education sector.