The University of Ibadan and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chairman, Professor Ayoola Akinwole, has emphasised the urgent need for the federal and state governments to address the ongoing issues between the government, labour force, and university students. He emphasised that resolving these conflicts requires the government to meet the needs of each group, thereby reducing disagreement. Professor Akinwole stressed that prioritising improvements in the Education sector is crucial, as it plays a vital role in the country’s development and future prosperity.
During his presentation titled, “Aquaculture Engineering: Reconciling the Balance in The Triad Of Fish, Plants And Man,” at the University of Ibadan, Professor Akinwole discussed the importance of finding harmony between fish, plants, and man in aquaculture engineering, as part of the 556th inaugural lecture. He believes that the root cause of the conflict is a lack of proper funding for education, resulting in poor infrastructure, insufficient resources, and outdated educational materials. There are accusations of Corruption and mishandling of funds within the education sector.
Lack of basic academic needs contributes to student dropout rate.
Furthermore, rising tuition costs create financial barriers for several students to access education. Also, substandard living conditions in hostel and school facilities, insufficient healthcare services, and inadequate student support resources are increasing student challenges. Employee rights and benefits have been a source of contention, resulting in academic and non-academic staff staging strikes to demand fair wages and better benefits. The declining state of university facilities is negatively impacting the quality of learning. Government involvement in university matters, including appointments and policies, is further causing disruptions.
National conflicting and questionable policies are contributing to a rise in graduate unemployment, resulting in widespread frustration and dissatisfaction among youths nationwide. He commended ASUU and its members for demonstrating exceptional bravery and determination in confronting oppressors at various levels, including individual university branches and federal and state governments, fearlessly speaking truth to power regardless of the consequences. He further explored how engineering could be combined with biological systems to improve the efficiency of aquaculture methods.
Academic leader urges gov’t to support this initiative with various needs.
Prof. Akinwole emphasised the importance of urban aquaculture for ensuring food security, creating jobs, and generating income. He called on governments to support this initiative by raising public awareness, educating communities, and focusing on specialised markets to achieve commercial success and environmental sustainability. He focuses on the importance of adopting best management practices (BMPs) in agriculture, aquaculture, and food production facilities to protect the environment and promote efficient farming practices without jeopardising human, animal, and plant health.
However, in order to avoid unnecessary expenses and premature growth, Investors in recirculating fish production systems should rely on expert advice and assistance for custom design and Manufacturing components tailored to their specific location. He proposed a collaborative approach to managing small-scale aquaponics and integrated aquaculture systems in communities. This method enhances the technology’s adaptability for local production and decreases limitations to entry by improving access to human resources, ultimately reducing individual labour and educational prerequisites for operation.
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On the other hand, to promote lasting growth in the academic sector, policy suggestions should prioritise allocating more government funds to improving Infrastructure and supplying up-to-date resources. Incentivising the Private Sector can boost learning technology, infrastructure development, and funding, leading to increased innovation. Public and private organisations can collaborate to address resource shortages, and global partnerships offer valuable support for improving academic programs and training staff. Moreover, clear guidelines for governance and accountability can guarantee that resources are used efficiently, combating corruption and inefficiencies.