Okoh, don decry deplorable state of Nigerian varsities

• Urge Tinubu to revamp, rescue old institutions, stop approval for new ones
• UI Religious Dept honours Okoh, others

The former Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, and the Head of Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Olumuyiwa Olusesan Familusi, yesterday, called on President Bola Tinubu to rescue, revive and revamp Nigerian public universities rather giving licences for the establishment of new ones.

Okoh and Familusi, who decried the deplorable situation of Nigerian universities, gave the charge during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Department of Religious Studies’ conference in honour of Okoh held at Trenchard Hall of the university with the theme: ”Religion, Artificial Intelligence and Migration.”

The awardees included Okoh, the Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa, Dr Humphrey Olumakaiye (posthumously), The Rt. Rev. (Dr) James Odedeji, Rev. Samson Ajetomobi, Dr Gomba Fortune Oyor (posthumously), and Evangelist Annah Afolabi.

Okoh, who responded on behalf of the awardees, assured the Head of the Department that they would do their best to support the department. He expressed gratitude and happiness for the honour bestowed on him and others.

The former Primate, who spoke on the state of the nation, urged Tinubu to rescue Nigerian universities from their current poor situation. Also, Familusi said the president should revamp, revive and rescue the education sector, lamenting that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on strikes due to the poor state of public universities.

Prof. Francis Egbokhare, who was the keynote speaker, said: ”Every tool has its effects on human biology and psychology. There is the cognitive diminishment that can arise when human beings become lazy and no longer apply their brains and when we outsource thinking. And then, there are also the problems that will arise when AI replaces the pastors because you have the capacity now to create AI agents that can serve the role of the pastor and counselor. That is where the risk is.”

In his paper, titled: ”Changing Faces of Interdisciplinary Studies – Migration and Religion,” Prof. Babatunde Adedibu said AI presented serious ethical concerns about privacy, bias and dehumanisation.

Prof. Bolanle Oladejo, who was the second paper presenter, Prof. S.M. Mepaiyeda, who was the chairman on the occasion and the Dean of Arts, Prof. Solomon Oyetade, extolled the virtues of Okoh and other awardees.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Peter Olapegba, said the conference was to bridge the gap between the town and the gown and share ideas that would improve living.