By Aaron Ukodie
The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has challenged Nigerian universities of technology to assume a leadership role in driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), warning that failure to do so could undermine the nation’s future economic competitiveness and technological advancement.
Uzodimma delivered the charge while presenting the 38th Convocation Lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) on June 4, 2026. His lecture, titled “Nigerian Universities of Technology Must Lead in the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Jeopardize the Nation’s Future,” formed one of the major highlights of the institution’s convocation activities.
The governor’s address came at a time when countries around the world are rapidly embracing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, automation, machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics and advanced manufacturing systems to transform their economies.
Universities as Drivers of National Transformation
In his lecture, Uzodimma stressed that universities, particularly institutions dedicated to science and technology, must move beyond their traditional roles as centres of teaching and research to become active drivers of innovation, industrial growth and economic transformation.
According to him, the Fourth Industrial Revolution presents both opportunities and challenges for developing nations like Nigeria. While the technological wave offers unprecedented prospects for economic growth and job creation, countries that fail to prepare their workforce and institutions risk being left behind in the global knowledge economy.
The governor argued that Nigerian universities must position themselves at the forefront of technological development by producing graduates equipped with the skills required to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.
Bridging Academia and Industry
A key theme of the lecture was the need to bridge the long-standing gap between academic institutions and industry.
Uzodimma emphasized that university curricula must be aligned with contemporary industry realities and emerging technological trends. Such alignment, he noted, would enable graduates to develop practical solutions to both local and global challenges while enhancing their employability and entrepreneurial capacity.
He urged universities to strengthen partnerships with industry players, technology companies, government agencies and research institutions to foster innovation ecosystems capable of driving sustainable development.
The governor also underscored the importance of encouraging research and development activities that address Nigeria’s peculiar socio-economic needs, rather than relying solely on imported technologies.
Avoiding Technological Marginalisation
The lecture carried a strong warning about the consequences of inaction.
Uzodimma noted that countries and institutions that fail to embrace the technologies shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution could face economic stagnation and increasing marginalisation in the global marketplace.
He called on policymakers, university administrators, lecturers and students to collectively embrace innovation and technological advancement as strategic tools for national development.
For Nigeria, he said, the stakes are particularly high given the country’s youthful population and growing demand for employment opportunities.
A Significant Moment for FUTO
The convocation lecture was held against the backdrop of FUTO’s 38th Convocation Ceremony and marked a significant moment in the university’s history.
The event also coincided with the conclusion of the tenure of the institution’s eighth substantive Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nnenna Oti, whose administration has been widely credited with advancing the university’s academic and infrastructural development.
As part of the convocation activities, the university announced that thousands of students would be graduating across various disciplines, underscoring FUTO’s continuing role in producing skilled manpower for Nigeria’s technology-driven future.
The Bigger Picture
Uzodimma’s message reflects a growing national conversation about the role of higher education in preparing Nigeria for an increasingly digital and technology-centric global economy.
Experts have consistently argued that the country’s ability to compete in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software development, digital manufacturing, biotechnology and renewable energy will depend significantly on the quality of its universities and research institutions.
For universities of technology such as FUTO, the governor’s lecture serves as both a challenge and a call to action: to become engines of innovation, creators of new knowledge and catalysts for industrial transformation.
As the Fourth Industrial Revolution continues to reshape societies and economies worldwide, the question facing Nigeria is no longer whether technological change will occur, but whether its institutions are prepared to lead it. Senator Uzodimma’s answer was unequivocal: Nigerian universities of technology must lead—or risk jeopardising the nation’s future.
