Osinbajo Highlights the Importance of Integrity and Open Education at Miva Open University Matriculation

Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo emphasized the growing challenge of finding individuals with integrity at the 2024 matriculation ceremony of Miva Open University in Abuja on Saturday.

Osinbajo advocated for the expansion of open university systems, calling them the future of higher education in Africa. He argued that the continent cannot effectively meet the demand for university degrees through traditional physical campuses alone.

He explained, “Every year, over 1.7 million applicants take the UTME exams conducted by JAMB, but only about 400,000 gain admission to universities. This leaves approximately 1.3 million eligible young people without an opportunity for university education.”

Osinbajo noted that Nigeria’s population growth, at an annual rate of about 6 million people, makes it impractical to rely solely on building physical universities. He urged education policymakers, educators, students, and employers to recognize that the traditional approach to higher education is becoming obsolete.

Congratulating the students, Osinbajo encouraged them to strive for long-lasting success, emphasizing, “Real success is not just about short-term achievements or social media followers. It’s about making a lasting impact through your work, contributions to society, and the values you impart to others.”

He stressed the significance of integrity, describing it as the foundation of real success. “Let your yes be yes, and your no be no. Be known for your consistency in upholding high moral values. Integrity is becoming scarce, and as a result, it is in high demand,” Osinbajo said.

He humorously added, “Even thieves seek people of integrity to safeguard their stolen wealth. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. The person who lasts is the one who is trustworthy because trust is the currency of business and relationships. If you lack integrity, it will become widely known, and opportunities will diminish.”

The Vice-Chancellor of Miva Open University, Prof. Tayo Arulogun, highlighted that over three thousand students were matriculating into 14 undergraduate programs across four schools: Computing Science, Allied Health Sciences, Communication & Media Studies, and Management & Social Sciences.

He noted that the significant increase in enrollment demonstrates the university’s progress and appeal within just one year of its establishment.