YABATECH Council Chair Says Technical Education Key To National Development
…Commends FUTES Management for Building Strong Academic Foundation
The Chairman of the Governing Council of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Professor Funso Isolaowa Afolabi, has commended the management of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences (FUTES), Iyin-Ekiti, for establishing its inaugural lecture series, describing the initiative as a significant step towards building a strong academic tradition and advancing Nigeria’s technological development.
Afolabi, who conveyed the goodwill message on behalf of the Governing Council, Management and Academic Board of YABATECH, now known as the Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba, Lagos, said the introduction of inaugural lectures represented an important foundation for the university’s academic growth and intellectual culture.
The goodwill message was delivered in connection with the maiden inaugural lecture of FUTES-Iyin-Ekiti, held recently.
He described the establishment of the lecture series as a commendable initiative that would promote intellectual engagement, encourage scholarly contributions and strengthen the university’s commitment to teaching, research and innovation.
According to him, the efforts of the Governing Council, Vice-Chancellor, Management and other stakeholders of FUTES-Iyin in establishing effective leadership structures and building cohesive teams demonstrated a commitment to sustainable institutional development.
Afolabi noted that the university’s leadership had shown the capacity to make strategic decisions, sustain staff morale and promote collaboration, even under challenging circumstances.
He said these efforts were laying a solid foundation for the institution’s growth and positioning it to contribute meaningfully to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda through technical education and human-capacity development.
The YABATECH Council Chairman stressed that technical education remained a critical instrument for national transformation, particularly in a country seeking sustainable economic growth, improved infrastructure and increased productivity.
He further observed that inaugural lectures provided more than ceremonial platforms for senior academics to present their research findings, describing them as opportunities to stimulate intellectual discourse, inspire younger scholars and generate practical solutions to pressing national challenges.
Commenting on the subject of the maiden lecture, Afolabi said the presentation demonstrated an understanding of the relationship between Nigeria’s spatial and economic development and the urgent need to improve the country’s transportation infrastructure.
He emphasised that sustainable road infrastructure was essential to national development, noting its importance to economic activities, connectivity, mobility and the overall well-being of citizens.
According to him, the focus on transportation engineering and management was particularly relevant to Nigeria’s development aspirations because efficient transportation systems support productivity, facilitate trade and improve access to essential services.
He commended the inaugural lecturer, Engr. Prof. Olumide Moses Ogundipe, for bringing scholarly insight to an area with significant implications for national development in his lecture titled: Paving the Way for Sustainability: Asphalt Innovation for Safe and Durable Road Pavement.
Afolabi expressed optimism that the presentation would encourage further research and practical interventions in transportation engineering and management, while providing fresh perspectives on how Nigeria could address its infrastructure challenges.
He also expressed the hope that the maiden lecture would inspire other academics at FUTES-Iyin to organise similar intellectual engagements, thereby establishing a sustained tradition of academic excellence and knowledge sharing.
The Council Chairman urged the university community to sustain the momentum generated by the inaugural lecture and continue to develop ideas capable of addressing Nigeria’s developmental needs.
He reaffirmed the importance of building institutions that combine academic rigour with practical solutions, stressing that universities of technology must remain at the forefront of innovation, professional development and the advancement of national productivity.
Afolabi congratulated the Governing Council, Vice-Chancellor, Management, staff and students of FUTES-Iyin-Ekiti on the milestone, expressing confidence that the institution would continue to strengthen its academic standing and contribute to Nigeria’s technological advancement.
He wished participants a rewarding inaugural lecture and expressed hope that the event would mark the beginning of a sustained legacy of scholarship, innovation and service to the nation.
