The Chancellor of Westland University, Dr. Wole Adepoju, has revealed the institution’s commitment to tackling Nigeria’s excessive reliance on imported goods. Speaking in Lagos, Dr. Adepoju outlined the university’s key focus on promoting technical productivity and innovation among its students, with a strong emphasis on using locally sourced materials to meet Nigeria’s growing needs.

Westland University, located in Osun State, is one of four newly approved private universities by the Federal Government, alongside Greenfield University in Kaduna, Dominion University in Ibadan, and Laloko University in Ogun. The approval, granted earlier this year, followed a rigorous assessment by the National Universities Commission (NUC), which confirmed the institutions’ compliance with the necessary academic, infrastructural, and operational standards.

Set to commence operations in June, Westland University is gearing up to make a significant impact on Nigeria’s economy by prioritizing local production and innovation. “Our objective is to train students to design and produce goods using materials sourced from within Nigeria. This is aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on imports,” Dr. Adepoju stated.

He expressed concern over Nigeria’s long-standing economic struggles due to its heavy importation of goods, despite the availability of raw materials within the country. “Our focus will be on technical productivity, where students are equipped to meet 21st-century demands through innovation and the efficient use of resources,” he added.

Dr. Adepoju further disclosed that the university’s curriculum will be ICT-driven, ensuring that all departments foster technological advancement and productivity. Westland University aims to contribute significantly to reversing the nation’s import dependency and fostering a self-reliant economy through education.