By Esosa Omorogbe

The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Prof. Eunice Omonzejie, has called on the Nigerian government, multinational agencies, and other stakeholders to collaborate in increasing investment in education to enhance the global relevance of Nigerian graduates.

Prof. Omonzejie made this call while receiving the National Leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by its President, Olushola Oladoja, at the university’s premises in Ekpoma. She emphasized that the country’s educational system requires urgent attention, from primary to tertiary levels.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed appreciation to the Edo State Governor,  His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo for his commitment to transforming the university, noting that the governor’s multifaceted interventions had restored hope and rejuvenated the institution. She also called on the leadership of NANS to support local students’ union governments in their crusades for a better and more conducive learning environment.

Prof. Omonzejie assured the students’ union leadership of her administration’s collaboration, promising to run an open-door policy while being firm when necessary. “You can be sure that you have a mother in me,” she said.

The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Olushola Oladoja, acknowledged the struggles faced by Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, noting that the institution had been impacted by past government policies. However, he commended the state governor’s intervention in addressing these challenges.

Oladoja also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing the NELFund scheme, a zero-interest fund for education purposes. He urged Nigerian students to take advantage of this opportunity, encouraging them to key into the program.

The visit by the National Leadership of NANS to Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma highlights the importance of collaboration between university administrators, students, and government agencies in enhancing the quality of education in Nigeria. The Vice-Chancellor’s call for increased investment in education and the NANS President’s appeal for students to key into the NELFund scheme underscore the need for collective efforts to address the challenges facing the education sector.