Deputy speaker calls for overhaul of varsity curricula

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called for overhauling of outdated curricula in Nigerian Universities.

Kalu, while delivering his convocation lecture to mark the 37th convocation and 50th anniversary of the University Of Calabar on Thursday, revealed that with the use of Artificial Intelligence, most Nigerian courses are becoming obsolete and cannot be linked to problem-solving in line with modern realities.

The lawmaker emphasized that Nigerian Universities must rise up to its challenges and prioritise the introduction of tech skills such as cyber security, artificial intelligence, and data analysis.

He said, “The challenge beyond us is clear, our universities must go beyond theory to practical impact, bringing the gown into the town and now into cyberspace where knowledge is applied.”

“Universities should stop teaching students courses and curriculums that cannot transform them into problem solvers. There is so much emphasis on CGPA, and it is not based on GPA, it is based on problem-solving.

“Outdated teaching methods fail to empower students for future challenges. The true major of education is its true impact on the town. How many university projects directly tackle local challenges like health care, water access, food security or transportation? Our research should move away from theories and offer tangible solutions while graduates must be equipped to address real issues from policy refinements to policy transportation.

“Law faculties must adopt blockchains. Engineering students should embrace robotics when the gown mirrors the town’s needs, and productivity follows when we bridge the gap between academia and society university can drive national progress while contributing to global knowledge.

“We must translate theories into problem-solving, we should leverage technology and reform our curriculum. ”

Benjamin called on impactful learning on the path of University lecturers to students whom he described as future leaders who would shape the country’s policies, decisions, and laws in years ahead.