Young Nigerians Must Take Responsibility For Their Future, Not Wait for Government — KolaDaisi VC

The vice-chancellor of KolaDaisi University in Ibadan, Prof. Olajumoke Abimbola Morenikeji, has called on young Nigerians to take more responsibility for their future by learning pertinent skills, creating opportunities, and hiring workers instead of waiting for employment from the government or other sources.

Morenikeji, the first female vice-chancellor of KolaDaisi University, made the call while receiving an Outstanding Leadership in Education Award from CRED 360 Media in recognition of her leadership and contribution to the education sector.

Speaking on Nigeria’s leadership deficit and the growing concern over young people’s declining confidence in the country, the Vice-Chancellor acknowledged that limited opportunities remained a major challenge facing Nigerian youths.

She noted that many young people were increasingly turning to entertainment and other sectors because they found it difficult to gain access to political leadership and other opportunities traditionally controlled by older generations.

According to her, while government and other stakeholders have a responsibility to create an enabling environment, young Nigerians must also develop the mindset to create opportunities for themselves.

“It is not who to blame, but how you carry yourself and how you achieve it. As a young person, you must create opportunities for yourself,” she said.

Morenikeji said universities had a major responsibility to address the problem by ensuring that students were equipped with skills beyond academic qualifications.

She said graduates should not leave university solely expecting to be employed but should also possess entrepreneurial and vocational skills that could enable them to create jobs for themselves and others.

“At KolaDaisi University, apart from academics, we also learn a little entrepreneurship,” she said.

The vice-chancellor added that the university was strengthening its vocational training initiatives to equip students with practical skills while also creating opportunities for members of the surrounding community to benefit from the programmes.

“We are very interested in making sure that we skill up our students,” she said.

Morenikeji also urged young Nigerians to develop resilience, discipline, hard work, and determination, recalling that she did not wait for others to recognise her before pursuing her ambitions.

“I didn’t wait for anybody. I didn’t wait for anyone to acknowledge me. I encouraged myself. I worked hard. I looked forward. I knew what I wanted,” she said.

She further advocated greater opportunities for women in leadership, noting that women often have to navigate professional responsibilities alongside family and other societal expectations.

According to her, women aspiring to leadership positions must demonstrate resilience, determination, discipline, and excellence, while institutions must create fair opportunities for them to advance.

Morenikeji stressed that leadership should not be restricted to academic administration, saying there was a need for competent leadership across different areas of national life.

Speaking on the rationale behind the award, the Chief Executive Officer of CRED 360 Media, Mr. Rotimi Agboluaje, said Morenikeji was selected after the organisation reviewed her achievements and leadership record.

Agboluaje said the award was not presented randomly, stressing that the organisation had established criteria for selecting recipients and that the vice-chancellor met the requirements.

According to him, Morenikeji had recorded significant achievements within her period in office, which made her deserving of the Outstanding Leadership in Education Award.

He said, “We are not just giving the award to anybody. We have important criteria that every recipient must meet, and she met all the criteria. That is why we decided to give her the award.”

Agboluaje added that Morenikeji’s achievements and commitment to excellence distinguished her as a worthy recipient of the recognition.

He said the award was intended to acknowledge individuals whose work and accomplishments demonstrated outstanding leadership and deserved public recognition.

Packaged by Lanre Olabisi