Gasper Seeks Urgent Educational Reforms as APWEN Lagos Inaugurates Mentorship Programme
Funmi Ogundare
The President of ULDA Construction Training Academy, Chief Olawumi Gasper, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s education system to foster creativity, innovation, and practical learning.
Speaking at the inaugural public lecture of the Association of Professional Women in Engineering (APWEN) and mentorship scheme in honour of the fourth president of the association, Idiat Amusu, in Lagos, Gasper emphasised the importance of student-centred learning as a means to cultivate future problem-solvers and innovators.
Gasper, who is also the Director at HORATIO Limited, described creativity as a key component of 21st-century skills.
In his keynote address, titled ‘Empowering Generations Through Lifelong Learning, Innovation, and Collaboration’, Gasper expressed concern about how current teaching practices often suppress students’ creativity.
He pointed out that teachers sometimes stifle creative thinking when it deviates from conventional norms.
He argued that the country cannot expect its youth to become problem-solvers if they are not given the freedom to explore solutions on their own terms.
“We cannot expect change through occasional encouragement or temporary initiatives. Creativity must become an integral part of daily learning,” he said.
Gasper stressed that education should go beyond academics like math and science and include essential soft skills such as emotional intelligence, teamwork, financial literacy, and digital education.
The president called for reimagining Nigeria’s education system, which empowers young people with the skills to innovate, lead, and tackle the challenges of today’s world.
He believes that by incorporating inclusive, skill-focused educational reforms, the country can unlock the potential of future generations and create a more equitable and promising future.
He also emphasised the need for stakeholders to recognise innovation as a fundamental human activity, with talent as the key differentiator in today’s global knowledge-based economy.
Earlier in her remarks, the Chairperson of APWEN Lagos, Dr. Atinuke Wuraola Owolabi, stated that the theme of the event reflects its dedication to fostering an inclusive environment where both young and seasoned female engineers can flourish.
She highlighted the APWEN Lagos mentorship program as a groundbreaking initiative, setting itself apart from traditional mentorship models.
“We call it reverse mentorship, a unique approach where both experienced female engineers and younger engineers engage in mutual learning. While the seasoned professionals share their expertise, insights, and valuable knowledge, the younger generation offers fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and digital fluency, creating a symbiotic relationship,” she explained.
This two-way exchange, she noted, provides a rich environment where more experienced engineers stay informed about emerging trends and technologies while younger engineers benefit from real-world guidance and confidence-building support from their mentors.
Dr. Owolabi also emphasized that the programme focuses on inclusivity and addresses personal and professional development throughout an engineer’s career journey.
As part of its commitment to ongoing growth, the event also marked the launch of an online academy/resource hub. Through partnerships with platforms like Udemy, APWEN has already secured over 10 courses. The chairperson stated that these resources would be available to members, ensuring access to cutting-edge knowledge and skills.
