“Our Gown In Town”: Deputy Speaker Kalu Calls For Universities To Move Beyond Theory To Practical Impact

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has said Universities in Nigeria must begin to tilt their academic programmes to solve developmental challenges facing the country.

He observed that there is a great disconnect between the academia and everyday life with problems arising not from a lack of intellect, but from a misalignment with society’s needs.

Kalu made the remarks while delivering a convocation lecture titled “Our Gown in Town and in Cyberspace: Sustainable and Human-Centred Education, The Mandate of Our Universities, 2025-2075” at the University of Calabar’s 37th Convocation and 50th Anniversary ceremony in Calabar, Cross River State, recently.

In a press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Leviinus Nwabughiogu, the Deputy Speaker said, “this topic invites us to reflect on a simple yet profound idea. Our ‘gown’ represents the academic robe. ‘Our gown in town’ is a symbol of our commitment to education that transcends the boundaries of the classroom and impacts the very fabric of our communities.

“Our universities were established as engines of progress. Today, however, we face problems highlighting a disconnect between academia and everyday life. These problems arise not from a lack of intellect but from a misalignment with society’s needs, as teaching and learning have long been measured solely by academic metrics—the length of dissertations, the complexity of theories, and the splendor of research—rather than their real-world impact.

“The challenge before us is clear: our universities must move beyond theory to practical impact, bringing the “gown” into the “town”—and now, into cyberspace—where knowledge is applied and ideas ignite change.

“If universities do not first serve their own Communities, their achievements risk remaining confined to ivory towers. Our research must offer tangible solutions, while graduates must be equipped to address real issues, from policy refinement to sustainable transportation. If the town does not feel the impact of our “gown,” our education is incomplete.

“Our universities are more than centers of learning; they are the backbone of our communities and nation. Their value lies not in certificates but in real-world impact. Institutions must go beyond academic debates, producing research that shapes policies proactively rather than reacting to crises. They should serve as policy hubs, not just locally but globally, proving that when education meets innovation, solutions follow.”

The Deputy Speaker who is of the class of ’98, faculty of law of the university noted that universities have a critical role to play in driving national progress and contributing to global knowledge.

Kalu also underscored the potential of Nigeria’s blue economy sector, emphasizing the need for universities to take the lead in building expertise tailored to the sector.

He said the sector remained largely untapped, emphasizing that it can yield $576 billion annually and create 127 million jobs by 2063 for Africa.

The Deputy Speaker highlighted the need for universities to incorporate hydrospace studies alongside town and cyberspace development, noting that universities must produce graduates who can solve real-world problems.

Kalu also said that university curricula should be updated to reflect the changing needs of society.

“Why are maritime students not modeling the economic impact of a decentralized port system? Why aren’t logistics departments partnering with fishing communities in nearby Bakassi and Oron to design cold-chain networks? If tomatoes rot in traffic jams heading to Apapa, that’s a 40% price hike in Kano markets—a problem the gown can solve with data and policy blueprints.

“As Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria stands to gain immensely from a thriving Blue Economy, but only if its universities take the lead in building expertise tailored to the sector. How many institutions currently offer specialized programs in maritime studies, oceanography, or marine engineering?”