University Professor and Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, has called on the Nigerian universities to overhaul the education systems to produce job creators, innovators and problem-solvers rather than job seekers.

Okonkwo said that Nigeria’s quest for sustainable economic growth would remain elusive unless the universities and other institutions equipped students with practical skills, technical competence and entrepreneurial abilities required to address the country’s developmental challenges

He made the call while delivering the 14th convocation lecture of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State titled: “Functional Education and the Nigerian Project: Strategic Human Capital Development for National Renewal.”

The airline boss maintained that the country needed to move away from an education model that placed greater emphasis on certificates than on what graduates could actually do with the knowledge acquired in school.

He noted that the value of education should be measured by the ability of graduates to solve real-life problems, develop useful technologies, improve productivity and contribute meaningfully to national development.

He commended ABUAD founder, Afe Babalola, SAN for his vision and commitment to transforming Nigeria’s education sector through quality and functional education.

He also lauded the university’s efforts to bridge the gap between academic learning and the practical demands of society, describing its mission as relevant to Nigeria’s quest for national renewal.

In his remarks, ABUAD Founder applauded Okonkwo for the insightful lecture, noting that the issues raised underscored the urgent need to reposition Nigeria’s education system to meet the country’s developmental needs.