The Vice-Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie has disclosed that the Nigeria’s premier science and technology university would champion experiential learning not just in the state but beyond.

Professor Okolie while delivering a Keynote Address during the training workshop for staff of the university held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu on the topic “Transformational Leadership, Innovation and Creativity in Tertiary Institutions” charged the senior staff to adopt leadership model and attitude that would enhance the academic excellence of the institution.

He noted that as the premier science and technology university in the country, ESUT will be at the vanguard of experiential learning by ensuring implementation of hands-on-practical-based teaching and learning.

“ESUT must lead the way in the 21st century experiential learning, beyond the shores of the state. It is time we established ESUT block and paint industries. It is time we offered the students hands-on training that would make them job creators and not job seekers after graduation. We must continue to build the capacity

“Four of our staff just returned from Germany where they participated in one-month vocational training. Let me also announce that six staff of ESUT will be going to Texas, USA in the first quarter of next year for another impactful training.

“Another set of staff will at the same period be in China to acquire more knowledge in experiential learning. The key thing about this workshop which is for selected leaders and managers in the university, is that we must emphasis the practical aspect of what we are teaching and learning. We must effectively implement the 30% theoretical and 70% practical pedagogy model. Other universities should learn from us.

“Let me reiterate that students, beginning from the new academic session which starts on Monday, must be divvied into research groups right from their year one. Each group should be given research topic to explore so that by the time they are in final year, they would have come up with a research work that would be helpful to our society,” he said.

On his part, the Co-facilitator of the Workshop and Director, Academic Planning, ESUT, Professor Chike Anibeze, described experiential learning as the oldest traditional system of education akin to the apprenticeship system established by Igbos in Nigeria which is based on hands-on training and practical application of knowledge.

“Experiential learning emphasizes learning through action, reflection, and application of knowledge in real-world or simulated scenarios, rather than just passively receiving information. It is our oldest traditional system of education – much akin to the apprenticeship system established by our forefathers – whereby knowledge is transmitted through practice, and knowledge thus gained, fostered innovation and growth”

“The minimum competencies that Enugu State-owned tertiary institutions are expected to accomplish by leveraging experiential learning to advance innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development. In November 2024, at ESUT, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, announced the Enugu Experiential Learning Policy, which charged each State-owned tertiary institution to: align education with Sustainable Development Goals, equipping students with skills to innovate solutions for Energy, Agriculture, ICT & Technology. This is the line we need to adopt and swiftly too to be the pacesetters not just in Enugu but beyond,” he said

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The Enugu State Government has stated that it is not in a hurry to make upward adjustment to the subvention it pays to its parent university, the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT.

The State Government rather said that it would not increase ESUT’s subvention in isolation to other state tertiary institutions who also receive government’s financial support.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Chidiebere Onyia who disclosed this while delivering a lecture at the two-day capacity building training workshop for frontline staff in ESUT, said the state government will need to carry out human capital audit to ascertain the actual number of workers in the state who are adding value.

Speaking on the theme “Leadership and Strategic Planning in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria”, the state government scribe said that despite receiving 40% of its revenue from the federal government, the government is supporting the university with capital projects

“The state government receives 40% of its revenue from the federal allocation. Check the allocation and juxtapose it with current budget, you find out that we have barely 30% left for capital project. We have increased revenue generation by deploying technology to pluck loopholes.

“We are mindful and the VC will tell you, how much the government supports ESUT in capital projects. We are mindful of the fact that there will be a time where we have to review subventions across all institutions, not just ESUT. What we are doing now is to audit our human capital. At local government, we found out that 2000 staff were ghost workers and you could imagine the wage bill since 10 years now.

“By the time we entre December, we would have saved almost ₦2 billion from Local Government wage bill and we will be making ₦270 billion in revenue in a year what past government made in four years.

“We are now doing state verification and found out that the number of staff is two-third of the current staff being paid. We will make the adjustment where we are able to get the right number of people who are working and the value they add so that when we increase, we know that we are increasing money for value delivery not just that we want to increase. So, we are coming there, give us time,” the SSG said in an interview.

In his keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie challenged the staff to ensure that the workshop had an impact both in their productivity, work ethics and relationship with subordinates and students.

“Now that you have been trained, you will be blamed” he warned.

How Much Does Enugu State Government Pay As subvention to ESUT?

Investigation by ESUT Monitor shows that the State and local governments currently support the university with ₦204 millon out of its ₦440 million monthly wage bill which is 46%

Each of the 17 local governments pays ₦4 million making a total of ₦68 million while the state government contributes ₦136 million monthly.

The university management is left to source for, each month, the sum of ₦236 million to pay staff salaries and entitlements. As challenging as this situation is, the university management, since inception in April 2022, has consistently and regularly paid staff their salaries.

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