.…unveils agenda to drive academic excellence in Caleb University
Vice-Chancellor, Caleb University, Imota , Lagos State, Prof. Olalekan Asikhia has reiterated the varsity’s zero tolerance to examination malpractice saying that the Institution will continue to uphold hard work, transparency, educational quality, describing examination malpractice as a silent epidemic and a corrosive act that threatens the education system.
Prof. Olalekan Asikhia, said
this at a press conference, held at the University’s Council Chamber, Imota, Lagos State.
He condemned the act, saying that examination malpractice may affect the integrity of professionals as well as the future of nations.
He explained the consequences of examination malpractice, warning that such acts not only jeopardize academic careers but also undermine the credibility of educational institutions.
Asikhia assures that the institution would continue to uphold zero tolerance for academic misconduct, stressing that “there is no shortcut to success.We will not compromise integrity for grades. Every student must earn their achievements through hard work.”
Speaking on the exclusion of Private University from benefiting from Tetfund, The Vice Chancellor, who is a Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, appealed to the federal government to allow private universities in the country to benefit from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), to further enhance research work in private universities and also for the general development of the country.
He said, “It would have been very lovely if the government could agree that private universities should benefit from TETFund. It would have greatly helped research and the general development of the nation, because there are intelligent people in most of the private universities across the country, and not encouraging their research is a minus to the nation.
“Concentrating only on public federal and state universities is not good for our country. It is not allowing the nation to make use of its lofty human resources. The nation is the one cheating itself in that regard.”
While unveiling his seven-point vision designed to reposition the institution as a centre of academic excellence and innovation, Asikhia emphasised that his administration’s blueprint was built around crafting a godly environment, driving academic excellence, and strengthening global partnerships.
He said, “We want to ensure that Caleb University is run on godly principles and continues to raise students who are becoming more and more like Jesus in every way”.
He explained that his administration would decentralise services, promote student-led chapel activities, and instil discipline through mentorship rather than compulsion.
On academic excellence, the Vice-Chancellor said the university had introduced the Caleb Academic Potentialisation Scheme (CAPS) to support students with low Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) through tutorials and mentorship programmes.
“We also established a citizenship committee to tackle absenteeism and unseriousness among students to enhance the delivery of excellence”.
While recalling that Caleb University recently emerged first in a national moot court competition before representing Nigeria in South Africa, he described the feat as a testimony to the university’s growing academic strength.
The Vice Chancellor also announced a digitalised student management system designed to ease campus operations, allowing students to make food orders and submit exit requests online.
He stated that the university was integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and modern technology into its curriculum to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. “AI is no longer the future, it is the present.
“We must teach our students how to use it responsibly, especially in research and communication. At Caleb, we will ensure AI supports learning, not shortcut it,” he said.
On research and innovation, he said the university was committed to becoming number one in Nigeria and among the top 20 in Africa by 2030 in global ranking, and in impact ranking by 2027.
He disclosed that 11 centres of excellence had been established to drive innovation and industrial problem-solving.
“We are promoting a culture where every lecturer and student become innovation conscious.We are living innovatively, ensuring new things constantly emerge from our environment,” he said.
Speaking on international linkages, Asikhia said Caleb University had created a Centre for Global Engagement, Industry and Government Partnerships to coordinate relationships with leading institutions worldwide.
He said the institution had existing collaborations with the University of North Carolina (U.S.); University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa); Kenyatta University (Kenya); and the University of London (UK).
He added that talks were ongoing with Cambridge, Oxford, and Harvard universities for staff and student exchange programmes.
On entrepreneurship, Asikhia said the institution was committed to producing graduates who would become job creators rather than job seekers.
“We are encouraging students to register their companies while still on campus and start operating their businesses before graduation,” he said.
He added that the university was developing a robust endowment and investment strategy to ensure financial sustainability, while commercialising its research outputs.
On institutional governance, he said the university had already developed a strategic plan with frameworks for performance monitoring and decentralised decision-making.
“Every lecturer is expected to publish at least four Scopus-indexed papers yearly to improve our world ranking,” Asikhia said.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to climate action and environmental sustainability, announcing the creation of a Green Student Council to drive eco-friendly initiatives on campus.
“We want to ensure our waste becomes wealth and that our environment remains green, clean, and conducive for learning,” he said.
