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Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa, chancellor of Summit University, Offa, says Nigeria will only achieve lasting economic progress if it treats investment in education as its most important project.
Adegunwa, who is also chairman of Rite Foods Limited, spoke at the weekend during the combined fifth and sixth convocation of the faith-based university in Offa, Kwara State.
He told graduating students, parents and guests that every naira channeled into quality learning delivers returns that outlive short-term economic cycles and political promises.
“An investment in knowledge pays the best dividend,” he said, noting that the Summit University project has become one of the most rewarding commitments of his life.
According to him, steady financial support from individuals and corporate bodies has helped the young institution expand its programs and upgrade facilities.
Since he became pioneer chancellor in December 2023, undergraduate programs at Summit University have doubled from eight to 16, he said. Six existing programs recently scaled through reaccreditation, while the National Universities Commission granted full accreditation.
Adegunwa praised the university management, governing council and board of trustees for what he described as disciplined planning and quiet hard work that rarely makes headlines but determines whether a university survives.
He also pointed to visible infrastructure on campus. Foundations have been laid for four major buildings, one has been completed and is already in use, while two are nearing completion.
He publicly acknowledged donors, including former banker Mosun Belo-Olusoga, whose contributions, he said, are helping Summit University close gaps in classrooms, laboratories and offices.
Looking ahead, Adegunwa disclosed that the school is preparing for resource verification visits for proposed programs in the College of Law and the College of Health Sciences, two areas he believes will position graduates for relevance in a changing labor market.
At the convocation, the university conferred honorary doctorate degrees on Aderemi Muyideen Makanjuola and Lateefat Olufunke Gbajabiamila, as well as a posthumous honor on the late businessman Tiamiyu Adebisi Olatinwo.
Vice Chancellor Abiodun Musa Aibinu, in his remarks, thanked Adegunwa for donating the ongoing Senate building, now about 30 percent completed. He said the structure will significantly boost administrative and academic operations once delivered.
Aibinu announced that 319 students graduated this year: 26 finished with first-class honors, 164 with second-class upper, 108 with second-class lower, 25 with third-class and one with a pass.
He urged government at all levels and business leaders to see support for credible universities as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s long-term stability.
