The Chancellor of Dominion University, Ibadan, Bishop Taiwo Adelakun, has said Africa must invest more in human capital development to effectively harness its abundant natural resources and accelerate economic growth.

TaiwoAdelakun said the continent’s development challenges stemmed partly from a shortage of the expertise required to manage its material resources effectively.

He spoke while addressing journalists at Dominion University, located along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, ahead of activities marking the institution’s fourth convocation ceremony.

“The problem with Africa is that we have material resources but lack human expertise to manage the resources,” he said.

The cleric stressed that investment in young people was essential to building a generation capable of providing innovative solutions to societal challenges and driving national development.

“No way a nation can be built without the young generation. Going forward as a nation, investments must be made in the lives of our young ones. The greatest resource is human ability to manage,” he said.

He explained that Dominion University was committed to developing students’ intellectual abilities, moral values and confidence to contribute meaningfully to society.

Adelakun said the institution sought to equip young people with the knowledge and mindset needed to overcome challenges and pursue their ambitions.

“Here we are resetting the minds of the young ones that nothing is impossible with God. We are giving them the capacity that they can make it,” he said.

He added that religious institutions had a responsibility to complement government efforts in education by raising graduates with sound academic knowledge and strong moral foundations.

According to him, education should not be left to the government alone, as faith-based institutions also have a role to play in preparing young people for responsible leadership.

The chancellor said the university also exposed its students to accomplished professionals and leaders who could inspire them to apply their knowledge to solving societal problems.

He disclosed that the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission Worldwide, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, would deliver the university’s fourth convocation lecture on Friday, October 23, 2026.

The lecture, titled “Such As I Have: The Graduate, Capacity and the Responsibility to Transform Society,” is expected to address the role of graduates in societal transformation.

Adelakun described Okonkwo as an experienced leader with a background in banking, decades of ministry and a commitment to youth development and education.

The university’s fourth convocation will produce 140 graduates, including 27 first-class degree holders.

Nadia Rita Bayakly of the Department of Mass Communication emerged as the best graduating student, recording a cumulative grade point average of 5.00 out of 5.00.