A former Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN, will deliver the 36th Convocation Lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) on Friday.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, announced this while briefing journalists ahead of the institution’s convocation ceremonies.
She said the lecture, titled “Strategies and Tactics for Solving Skills Challenges in Nigeria: The Roles of Government, Institutions and the Youth,” would be delivered by Kayode, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Minister of Labour and Productivity.
According to Oladiji, the event will coincide with the award of degrees to 2,747 graduating students, marking a new approach in the university’s convocation programme.
She explained that, unlike previous editions where lectures and award ceremonies were held on separate days, this year’s lecture would take place on the same day as the degree presentation to allow graduands benefit directly from the intellectual discourse.
“Convocation lectures are specifically meant for graduating students,” the VC said. “For the first time in the history of FUTA, the convocation lecture will be delivered on the day of the award presentation so that most of the graduating students will be available and can benefit from it.”
Oladiji emphasized that the lecture’s theme was carefully chosen to address Nigeria’s growing skills gap, urging students to focus on practical and employable competencies beyond theoretical knowledge.
“Many graduates today are unemployed not really because there are no jobs, but because they do not possess the necessary skills required,” she stated. “That is why the topic of this lecture will equip students on how to acquire practical skills that will make them employable.”
She added that the university hopes the message from the guest lecturer will inspire the graduands, who are stepping into a new phase of their lives.
Speaking further on the choice of the guest lecturer, Oladiji described Prince Kayode as eminently qualified, citing his broad experience and exposure in both the public and private sectors.
“Our decision to choose Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN, as the guest lecturer this year was informed by several reasons, among which are his experience and exposure as a scholar and his rich administrative experience, especially as Minister of Culture and Tourism, Minister of Labour and Employment, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, and Minister of Defence,” she said.
