ADO-EKITI, EKITI STATE— The pro-chancellor of the Ladoke Akintola University of Innovation, LAUTECH, Teacher Ayodeji Oludare Omole, has issued an engaging require a strategic balance in between activism and institutional governance to secure the stability 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 warned that “power without responsibility” poses a substantial danger to the higher education system.
The lecture, attended by a cross-section of Vice-Chancellors, policymakers, and administrators, attended to the growing friction between labour unions and university managements across the federation.
Advocacy as a Driver for Reform
Drawing from his extensive background in the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Teacher Omole acknowledged that activism has traditionally been the “catalyst for reform” in Nigeria.
He noted that advocacy and protests have actually contributed in protecting university autonomy and withstanding policies that stifle scholastic development.
However, Omole argued that for universities to thrive in the modern-day era, activism must progress beyond mere conflict.
He emphasised that the leap from the barriers of unionism to the boardrooms of governance requires a shift toward strategic settlement and long-term preparation.
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The Obstacle of the “Activist-Administrator”
One of the most thought-provoking sections of the lecture discussed the shift of scholars from union management to administrative functions.
Prof. Omole observed that numerous academics struggle with this shift, as the qualities that make an effective activist, such as unyielding defiance, can often hinder the perseverance and compromise required for reliable university management.
He described Nigerian universities as “objected to areas” where power is delicately shared among Governing Councils, University Management, Academic Senates, and external regulators like JAMB.
The lecture drew full marks from the legal luminary, Professor Akin Oyebode, who explained the discourse as a “useful guide” for scholars desiring management positions.
Likewise, the Vice-Chancellor of EKSU, Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele, declared the organization’s dedication to excellence, explaining Omole’s insights as prompt and thought-provoking given the existing industrial climate in the sector.
Protecting the Future of College
As the occasion concluded, the agreement amongst individuals was that the “we-against-them” mindset in between unions and management should be replaced by a collaborative model.
The lecture acted as a reminder that while dissent is healthy for a democracy, the survival of the university system depends on a management class that appreciates institutional structures while remaining devoted to social justice.