Funmi Ogundare 

The African School of Economics (ASE), Abuja, Monday, urged Nigerians to institutionalise due process in public affairs and corporate governance, while embracing work ethics, prioritising safety and security, strengthening conflict management skills, deepening financial literacy and nourishing lifelong learning.

Speaking at its two-day capacity-building training themed ‘Maximising Efficiency in the University/Workplace’, as part of its commitment to advancing human capacity development in Africa, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, explained that the programme provided a platform for upskilling, reskilling and retooling participants drawn from the university community and the public, in critical areas of professionalism and personal development.

He explained that the training modules covered organisational behaviour and ethics, time management, self-development, safety and security in the workplace, effective communication, conflict management, financial literacy and lifelong learning, all designed to make participants more efficient.

He cautioned Nigerians, especially the youth, against the growing obsession with instant gratification, stressing that true efficiency requires patience, consistency and belief that rewards for effort do not always come immediately.

In his paper titled, ‘Learning is Relearning and Unlearning’, he stated that whatever is good and great takes some time to fully manifest. “It is a natural law that patience and perseverance ultimately pay as they prepare one for greatness.”

He urged Nigerians to prepare for the future by investing in their present, citing the example of former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, who famously said he would study and get ready first, and someday his chance would come.

The VC described efficiency as doing things right, following due process, increasing output while decreasing waste, energy, time and resources. 

Adedimeji cited the globally recognised Pomodoro Technique; developed in the 1980s by Italian student Francesco Cirillo, as an example of how personal productivity can be enhanced.

Resource persons including Mrs. Ifeoma Okoye, Mrs Emilomo Ogunboye, Prof. Adegboyega Karim, Dr Anthonia Ajikeme and Prof. Adedimeji himself, demonstrated how efficiency can be achieved through self-discipline, hard work, time management and continuous learning.

Participants lauded ASE for what they described as a transformational experience and appealed for future editions to be expanded to benefit Nigerians across diverse sectors.

Highlights of the programme featured simulations, group presentations, and award of certificates to participants from both the university and the National Institute for Security Studies, Abuja.

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