ADO-EKITI, EKITI STATE— The pro-chancellor of the Ladoke Akintola University of Innovation, LAUTECH, Teacher Ayodeji Oludare Omole, has released a compelling call for a tactical balance between advocacy and institutional governance to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s public universities.
Delivering the 30th Convocation Lecture at the Ekiti State University (EKSU) auditorium on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the veteran academic alerted that “power without responsibility” postures a considerable hazard to the college system.
The lecture, attended by a cross-section of Vice-Chancellors, policymakers, and administrators, resolved the growing friction in between labour unions and university managements throughout the federation.
Activism as a Catalyst for Reform
Drawing from his extensive background in the Academic Personnel Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Omole acknowledged that advocacy has actually traditionally been the “catalyst for reform” in Nigeria.
He kept in mind that advocacy and protests have contributed in securing university autonomy and resisting policies that suppress scholastic development.
However, Omole argued that for universities to prosper in the modern-day age, advocacy needs to develop beyond simple confrontation.
He emphasised that the leap from the barricades of unionism to the boardrooms of governance requires a shift toward strategic settlement and long-lasting preparation.
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The Obstacle of the “Activist-Administrator”
Among the most thought-provoking sections of the lecture touched on the shift of scholars from union leadership to administrative functions.
Prof. Omole observed that numerous academics battle with this shift, as the traits that make an effective activist, such as unyielding defiance, can in some cases hinder the persistence and compromise required for reliable university management.
He explained Nigerian universities as “contested areas” where power is delicately shared among Governing Councils, University Management, Academic Senates, and external regulators like JAMB.
The lecture drew high praise from the legal luminary, Teacher Akin Oyebode, who described the discourse as a “practical guide” for scholars desiring management positions.
Likewise, the Vice-Chancellor of EKSU, Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to excellence, describing Omole’s insights as timely and thought-provoking given the current industrial climate in the sector.
Protecting the Future of College
As the occasion concluded, the agreement among participants was that the “we-against-them” mindset between unions and management must be replaced by a collaborative design.
The lecture functioned as a reminder that while dissent is healthy for a democracy, the survival of the university system depends on a management class that respects institutional structures while remaining dedicated to social justice.