Building a strong foundation for talented human capacity in the face of technological advancements can help solve local problems and drive Nigeria’s economic growth, the Founder and Group Managing Director of SystemSpecs Holdings Limited, John Obaro, has said.
Obaro who spoke on the topic: ‘Raising a New Generation of Leaders in a Digital Age: The Role of the Nigerian Ivory Towers’ at the 5th Matriculation Ceremony of Trinity University, Yaba, called on Nigerian universities to take the lead in grooming a new generation of leaders who can compete with their foreign counterparts in a digital age.
Nigerian universities, he said, could develop a curriculum that equips students with the necessary skills to create and use technology to solve local problems and instil essential attributes such as flexibility, effective communication, emotional intelligence, and collaboration in the next generation of leaders.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, and government in developing the next generation of trendsetters, Obaro urged universities to partner with relevant stakeholders to ensure that their curriculum was relevant to the needs of industry and society.
“As we evolve into a digital age, it is critical that our universities play a leading role in developing young leaders who can navigate and thrive in this new era. Nigerian universities must review and revamp their curriculum, strengthen their research capabilities, and encourage critical thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship to develop the minds of the youth,” Obaro said.
Congratulating the matriculating students, Obaro encouraged them to strive for excellence in their academic pursuits, adding that they should take advantage of opportunities to hone their skills and seek out new mentors and peers to take on the journey with them.
“I strongly recommend that you take advantage of chances to hone your skills. Seek professional development opportunities like internships, volunteering, and mentorship programs. This will give you the edge you need to compete in the labour market and succeed in the future,” he added.
The Vice-Chancellor of Trinity University, Charles Korede Ayo, expressed his appreciation to John Obaro for the lecture, which he described as insightful and challenging.
He said the lecture posed a challenge for the institution to rethink its approach to human capacity building and the role of universities in developing the next generation of leaders in this digital dispensation.
Obaro is an award-winning Nigerian technology entrepreneur and innovator, as well as the Founder of SystemSpecs, a leading Nigerian technology group with operations in other African countries.
The companies under the SystemSpecs group include Remita Payment Services Limited (RPSL), HumanManager Limited (HML), SystemSpecs Technology Services Limited (STSL), and Deelaa.com.
