A lecturer at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Dr. Israel Olabode Aroge, alongside his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Modupe Grace Aroge, and their family, has donated medical equipment worth over ₦5 million to the university in a move aimed at strengthening practical healthcare education.

The equipment was formally presented during a ceremony held at the School of Management Sciences on the university’s main campus on 30 June.

The donation comes at a time when many Nigerian tertiary institutions continue to face shortages of modern teaching equipment, particularly for practical medical and nursing education.

University officials say the new equipment will improve students’ clinical skills and help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-life healthcare practice.

Why the donation matters

Receiving the equipment on behalf of the university, Registrar Mr. Abiodun Peter Okunniga described the gesture as both timely and significant.

He said the donation would improve practical learning and enable students to understand medical concepts through direct experience rather than theory alone.

Mr. Okunniga thanked the Aroge family and prayed for continued blessings upon them for supporting the institution.

He also appealed to philanthropists, alumni, corporate organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians to support the university with additional facilities.

According to him, OAUSTECH still requires more equipment, hostels, lecture theatres, computers, laptops, textbooks and other educational infrastructure to meet growing academic demands.

Medical experts welcome intervention

The Acting Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences, Dr. Akinyehun Olubanjo, described the donation as “life saving and heartwarming.”

He said wider availability of similar equipment in hospitals and clinics across Nigeria could help reduce deaths during accidents and medical emergencies.

Dr. Olubanjo praised the Aroge family for what he described as exemplary philanthropy, adding that the School of Allied Health Sciences remained grateful for the support.

Health education experts have long argued that access to modern training equipment improves students’ competence, confidence and preparedness before entering professional practice.

With Nigeria facing persistent healthcare workforce shortages, universities are increasingly seeking partnerships with individuals and organisations to strengthen clinical training.

Donor explains motivation

Presenting the equipment, Dr. Aroge described the donation as a modest contribution towards improving practical training, building capacity and supporting the university’s development.

He said the family hoped the equipment would complement existing resources and strengthen the School of Allied Health Sciences.

Reflecting on the importance of giving back, he said:

“We came with nothing into this world and shall return with nothing.”

He added that everyone should contribute whatever they can towards the advancement of the country and humanity while alive.

Students expected to benefit

Speaking on behalf of the Nursing Sciences programme, Coordinator Mrs. Foluke Mesarawon thanked the donor and his family for the intervention.

She said access to the equipment would significantly improve students’ practical skills and provide them with a competitive advantage over graduates from institutions with fewer learning resources.

Education analysts say investments in simulation equipment and clinical learning tools have become increasingly important as universities seek to produce graduates who are ready for the workplace immediately after graduation.

Equipment donated

Among the donated items are:

Suctioning machine (mucus extractor)

Nebuliser machine

Sphygmomanometers

Stethoscopes

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine

CPAP/BiPAP machine and tubing

ResMed S8 Elite CPAP device

Voldyne 2500 spirometer

Anatomical bone models

Catheters

Syringes and needles

Ear syringes

Cohesive bandages

Theatre drapes

Mackintosh sheets

Multimedia projector

Other clinical training materials

What happens next?

University officials say the equipment will be deployed within the School of Allied Health Sciences to strengthen practical teaching for nursing and other healthcare programmes.

The university also hopes the donation will encourage more alumni, philanthropists and corporate organisations to invest in higher education and healthcare training.

A Professor of Computer Science at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) has argued that Africa’s traditional Ifá oracle system shares principles with modern Artificial Intelligence (AI), calling on the Nigerian government to invest more in indigenous research rather than relying solely on foreign technologies.

Delivering the university’s 13th Inaugural Lecture, titled “From Wandering to Wisdom: Breaking the Cycle of Intelligence Blindness,” Prof. Dipo Theophilus Akomolafe said Africa possesses centuries-old knowledge systems that deserve greater recognition in today’s rapidly evolving digital world.

He argued that while AI is widely viewed as a Western innovation, aspects of computational thinking already existed within African civilisation through the Yoruba Ifá divination system.

Why it matters

Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries across the world, from healthcare and education to finance, agriculture and security.

As Nigeria develops policies aimed at expanding its digital economy, debates are growing over whether indigenous knowledge can contribute to technological innovation instead of depending almost entirely on imported ideas.

Prof. Akomolafe believes recognising local knowledge could strengthen Nigeria’s research ecosystem while creating solutions tailored to African realities.

‘Nigeria is suffering intelligence blindness’

Speaking during the lecture, Prof. Akomolafe said humanity now has unprecedented access to information, yet societies continue to overlook valuable knowledge.

“Human civilization evolved through continuous quests for knowledge. However, societies have often operated within cycles of uncertainty and underutilization of available knowledge… a state in which valuable information, indigenous knowledge, or strategic insight exists, but is either ignored, misunderstood, or inadequately applied.”

He described the situation as “intelligence blindness”, adding that it results in poor decision-making despite the availability of useful knowledge.

“The result is confusion where clarity should prevail, division where there should be discernment, and repeated mistakes where results should guide.”

Connecting Ifá with computer science

The computer scientist and digital forensics expert argued that principles used in modern computing can also be identified within the Ifá divination system.

According to him, computer programming relies on binary numbers, zeros and ones, while the Yoruba Ifá system similarly operates through binary logic.

“Orunmila used codes same as binary digits to access divine messages, thereby establishing computer cognizance among contemporary humans.”

He explained that the opele divination chain uses paired symbols comparable to binary values of 0 and 1, which he described as forming a classical 16-digit Ifá computational structure.

Prof. Akomolafe added:

“Ifá was the bedrock upon which the technological advancement we see today; computer systems, phones, AI and other digital tools, was built.”

His interpretation reflects his academic perspective presented during the inaugural lecture. The historical origins of modern computer science are widely documented through developments in mathematics, logic, engineering and computing across different civilisations, and his argument contributes to an ongoing discussion about the relationship between indigenous knowledge systems and contemporary technology.

Call for research implementation

Beyond the debate on AI, the professor criticised what he described as Nigeria’s failure to convert academic research into practical national development.

He said billions of naira invested annually through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) rarely produce visible impact because many research findings are not implemented.

“The Federal Government, through TETFund, spends billions of naira yearly on research, but the outcomes are dumped on the shelves afterwards without implementation.”

He urged governments at all levels to invest in indigenous research and ensure university innovations are translated into practical solutions for education, industrialisation and national security.

University backs indigenous innovation

OAUSTECH Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, said the inaugural lecture highlighted the need to explore African knowledge systems in technological development.

“The message is clear: government should commit resources to developing AI as part of our indigenous knowledge.”

He added:

“That is how we can drive development for the good of our nation and its people.”

Experts say indigenous knowledge deserves more study

Technology researchers have increasingly argued that indigenous knowledge can complement modern scientific research, particularly in areas such as agriculture, environmental management, medicine and language technologies.

However, experts also note that historical and scientific claims linking traditional knowledge directly to modern computing require rigorous interdisciplinary research and evidence before they can be accepted within mainstream computer science.

Policy analysts say Nigeria’s larger challenge remains improving the commercialisation of university research so innovations can benefit industry and society.

What happens next?

The lecture is likely to fuel wider conversations about the role of African knowledge systems in emerging technologies.

Whether policymakers adopt Prof. Akomolafe’s recommendations may depend on future investments in research, collaboration between universities and industry, and stronger implementation of innovations produced by Nigerian institutions.

The inaugural lecture attracted academics, traditional rulers, students, university staff, family members, friends and members of the public.

Seven of Nigeria’s brightest students have received ₦35 million in scholarships after emerging as the highest-performing candidates in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with the Federal Government and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) describing the initiative as a model for private sector support of education.

Each of the seven students received a ₦5 million scholarship under the Rite Foods National Academic Excellence Awards during a ceremony held in Lagos on Tuesday.

The beneficiaries represent Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group, an initiative aimed at ensuring educational inclusion for candidates with special circumstances.

Why it matters

The scholarship programme comes at a time when the rising cost of higher education continues to place pressure on many Nigerian families.

Education stakeholders have increasingly called for greater private sector involvement to complement government funding, arguing that scholarships help talented students pursue university education regardless of financial background.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, represented by his Special Adviser, Dr Ismaila Adiatu, praised Rite Foods for investing in Nigeria’s future.

He also commended the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Seleem Adegunwa, for establishing the scholarship programme in partnership with JAMB.

The minister said the initiative demonstrates that a Nigerian company can compete globally while making meaningful contributions to national development through education.

JAMB applauds private sector partnership

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, described the scholarship initiative as an example other companies should emulate.

“This partnership with Rite Foods, through which seven outstanding UTME candidates are receiving ₦35 million in scholarships, demonstrates how the private sector can contribute meaningfully to educational advancement. Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, innovators and problem-solvers, and together we are investing in a brighter future for Nigeria.”

He said the partnership reflects the important role businesses can play in rewarding academic excellence and supporting government efforts to improve education.

The beneficiaries

The seven scholarship recipients are:

South-West: Okeke Chinedu Christian (93.90%), Mechanical Engineering, University of Lagos.

North-Central: Orzekor Aondohemba Godwin (92%), Software Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Minna.

South-East: Joshua David Chidiebere (92%), Software Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

South-South: James Edidiong Victor (91.75%), Medicine and Surgery, University of Uyo.

North-East: Vincent Daniel (89.72%), Medicine and Surgery, University of Maiduguri.

North-West: Luka Francis Miendwas (89.50%), Software Engineering, Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna.

JAMB Equal Opportunity Group: Ogunsua-Dixon Tijesuni Michelle (81.2%), Mass Communication, University of Lagos.

Rite Foods: Investing in Nigeria’s future

Rite Foods Managing Director and CEO, Seleem Adegunwa, said the scholarship programme reflects the company’s belief that education remains one of the strongest drivers of national development.

“At Rite Foods, we believe the quality of our young people will define Nigeria’s future. This initiative is more than a scholarship programme; it is an investment in the next generation by recognising excellence, inspiring ambition and empowering future leaders, innovators and professionals.”

He added that the awards send a strong message to young Nigerians that excellence and hard work deserve recognition.

Adegunwa also said the scholarship scheme forms part of the company’s sustainability agenda, which focuses on Education, Youth Empowerment, Environmental Stewardship and Community Development (EYCE).

Students welcome the support

Speaking on behalf of the award recipients, the overall highest-scoring candidate, Okeke Chinedu Christian, thanked Rite Foods for the scholarship.

He described the award as a significant boost that would help him pursue his academic ambitions.

Expert perspective

Education policy analysts say scholarship programmes funded by private organisations can help reduce financial barriers to higher education while encouraging academic excellence.

They note that although such initiatives cannot replace sustained public investment in universities, they can provide critical support for outstanding students and encourage stronger collaboration between government and businesses.

Beyond scholarships

Rite Foods said it also invests in youth development through entrepreneurship programmes, educational support, sports development and talent discovery.

The scholarship presentation ceremony featured performances by Nigerian Idol Season 6 winner Kingdom Kroseide and Victory Gbakara, winner of the Rite Foods-sponsored Nigerian Idol Season 8, highlighting the company’s continued support for creative talent.

What’s next?

Education stakeholders say they hope more Nigerian companies will introduce similar scholarship programmes to reward academic excellence and help bridge the funding gap facing many students entering tertiary institutions.