Governor Hope Uzodinma has called on Nigerian universities of science and technology, particularly the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), to take the lead in preparing Nigeria for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, warning that failure to embrace emerging technologies could push the nation into deeper economic irrelevance and global marginalisation.
Delivering the 38th Convocation Lecture of on Thursday, June 4, 2026, Governor Uzodinma declared that Nigeria and Africa had already missed the opportunities presented by the first three industrial revolutions and could not afford to repeat the same mistake in the current era driven by artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, automation, digital innovation and data science.
Speaking on the theme, “Nigerian Universities of Technology Must Lead in the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Jeopardize the Nation’s Future,” the Governor challenged universities across the country to reposition themselves as engines of innovation, entrepreneurship, industrial growth and national transformation.
Uzodinma stressed that higher institutions of learning must move beyond the traditional role of teaching and theoretical research to become centres for practical innovation, technology transfer, start-up incubation and commercialization of research findings.
“Our country and continent missed the first, second and third industrial revolutions. We have no excuse to miss the fourth. We either sit at the table or stare on the menu. The choice is ours,” the Governor declared.
The Governor’s lecture comes at a time when nations across the world are rapidly investing in artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), automation and advanced manufacturing systems to strengthen their economies and secure future competitiveness.
Using global examples from countries such as South Korea, Singapore, India, Rwanda and Estonia, Uzodinma noted that universities in those nations have become powerful drivers of economic growth through innovation-based education and technology-driven research.
He argued that Nigerian universities must align their curricula with present-day industry realities and emerging global trends to produce graduates equipped with relevant digital and entrepreneurial skills capable of solving societal challenges.
The Governor further emphasized the urgent need to strengthen partnerships between universities, industry leaders, government institutions and technology companies to close the long-standing gap between academic knowledge and real-world application.
According to him, many innovative ideas generated within Nigerian universities fail to reach the marketplace because of weak collaboration between researchers and industry players.He therefore advocated the establishment of robust innovation ecosystems that support technology transfer, enterprise development, research commercialization and start-up incubation.
The Imo State Governor also underscored the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, describing it as critical to Nigeria’s industrialization agenda and long-term economic survival. He warned that countries and institutions that fail to adapt to the rapidly changing technological landscape risk worsening unemployment, brain drain and economic stagnation.
Turning specifically to FUTO, the Governor described the institution as strategically positioned to become a national hub for technological advancement and innovation. He pledged the support of the Imo State Government towards the development of a technology and innovation ecosystem around the university, including initiatives focused on research commercialization, entrepreneurship development and industry collaboration.
“FUTO has a chance to become not just a university that teaches the Fourth Industrial Revolution, but a university that helps Nigeria lead it,” he stated.
Addressing the graduating students, Uzodimma urged them to embrace innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship as pathways to personal success and national development.
He advised the graduates to develop problem-solving abilities and entrepreneurial mindsets capable of creating jobs and contributing meaningfully to national economic growth rather than depending solely on white-collar employment opportunities.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, digital transformation, enterprise creation and innovation-driven governance in Imo State. He also congratulated the graduating students for their academic achievements and encouraged them to uphold values of excellence, integrity, hard work and service to humanity.
Earlier in her remarks, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. Nnenna N. Oti, described Governor Uzodinma as the most qualified personality to deliver the institution’s 38th Convocation Lecture.
She noted that the lecture theme strongly aligned with the Governor’s developmental vision and commitment towards technology-driven growth and innovation.
The event attracted dignitaries from across Nigeria, including members of the academia, captains of industry, lawmakers, government officials, religious leaders and students. Among top government officials present were the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, Secretary to the State Government Chief Cosmos Iwu, Chief of Staff Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, members of the State Expanded Executive Council and the incoming Vice-Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. Ikechukwu Dozie.
In summary therefore, Governor Uzodinma’s convocation lecture reflects the growing urgency among Nigerian policymakers for universities to play more active roles in economic development, innovation and digital transformation.
.
