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Article Title: University Education: A Paradigm Shift for Human Capital Development for Sustainable National Development in Nigeria
by Folasade R. Sulaiman Ph.D and Abiodun A. Ojo PhD

Abstract:
Education is the most potent weapon for achieving national development while the quality of education sustains such development. This paper focused on the roles played by the university in human capital development for sustainable national development. In this paper, university education encompasses most higher education programmes in Nigeria. Against this background, the paper examined the traditional roles of the university and stressed the need for a paradigm shift in university education for human capital development for sustainable national growth. The paper also examined the societal expectations of the university in a changing world. The paper explored the new roles of the university, especially in embracing environment relevant and impactful programmes for equipping students with skills that will prepare them for their contributions towards solving societal challenges such as unemployment and low pace of industrialisation. Some recommendation were made, some of which include: the university management and the governing council of the university should ensure avenues for proper funding of educational programmes for a viable human capital development; and, the university should always see itself as an avenue for proffering solutions to social challenges and as such update the frontiers of knowledge with current issues affecting humanity and how such could be eradicated through the courses offered in the university.

Keywords: university education; paradigm shift; sustainable national development; human capital development

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