Building Curricula for Vision 2050 Takes Centre Stage at UNILAG SPGS Lecture

By Daniel Nnamani, Nancy Omotoun, Kehinde Balogun

Education is one of the most powerful tools for national transformation. For societies to progress, deliberate and concerted effort must be geared towards having an education system that encourages strategic innovation. But what happens when the fundamental instrument of education, the academic curricula, is not in tandem with today’s reality? What becomes of the students who are being taught in today’s 21st century with curricula developed over two decades ago, or even as far back as the 20th century? Like the renowned Lebanese-American Writer and Poet said in his famous work, The Prophet, “Life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.”

As the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS) University of Lagos (UNILAG) holds its 20th annual lecture, the subject of innovation through curricula that will enable Nigeria to meet its Vision 2050 dominated conversation. The event, which was held on Thursday, 14th August 2025 at Tayo Aderinokun Auditorium, UNILAG, brought together experts from the town and the gown to deliberate on the theme, “Postgraduate Education: Setting Agenda for National Development.”

Delivering his keynote lecture, Nigeria’s ex-Head of Civil Service, Professor Oladapo Afolabi, OON, CFR emphasized the need for universities to go beyond producing research and instead develop strategies that directly address national challenges. “We have schools, but do we have strategy?” he asked, while urging for innovation, productivity, and global competitiveness as essential pillars for national progress.

Citing countries such as Finland, Taiwan, and the UK, Prof. Afolabi critiqued Nigeria’s academic system, pointing to disconnected research, outdated curricula, inadequate funding, and brain drain as obstacles. He proposed six “bold steps” for reform: revamping curricula in line with Vision 2050, increasing research funding and scholarships, fostering industry-academia partnerships, encouraging global collaborations, granting universities greater autonomy, and establishing a national research council. “When you discover something, give it to someone who can develop it for you, as long as it is relevant,” he advised.

Chairman of the event, Mr. Foluso Phillips, Founder and Executive Chairman of Phillips Consulting, underscored the need for relevance in academic work. He noted that Nigeria is at a critical juncture where strategic thinking, policy engagement, and data-driven solutions are urgently required.

The interactive session also saw contributions from students. Aminat Olanrewaju, a master’s student in Political Science, questioned policies restricting lecturers from practicing their professions, highlighting the need for reforms to strengthen national development. The event’s Master of Ceremonies, Oluwaseun Ajidagba, reminded participants that postgraduate students should not be complainers but problem solvers. “As a postgraduate, you were not forced to pick what you are doing. That’s why it is called ‘masters of’, you are expected to be a master of your field,” he said.

In her closing remarks, UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, echoed the call for purposeful research. “Research should not be for research’s sake but to provide solutions to global problems,” she said. Stressing the importance of innovation, she challenged academics to focus on goals rather than barriers: “What is your department known for? What is your faculty known for? Faculties make up the school.”

The SPGS at UNILAG continues to be a leading institution in Africa, offering postgraduate diplomas, master’s degrees, and doctoral programs. Its mission remains to produce high-level manpower and drive national and global development through advanced studies and impactful research.