{
  "id": 10092040,
  "title": "I would have been a footballer — Mountain Top varsity VC, Elijah",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/i-would-have-been-a-footballer-mountain-top-varsity-vc-elijah",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-27T00:00:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/i-would-have-been-a-footballer-mountain-top-varsity-vc-elijah/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Elijah, the Vice Chancellor of Mountain Top University, reflects on the lessons his childhood instilled in him. Growing up in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, he credits his grandmother for teaching him the value of hard work and dedication. His grandmother would often rise early in the morning to sell groundnuts and set an example of commitment to her work.\n\nThe academic journey of Elijah began with a degree in Engineering and Physics from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). He pursued further studies in Applied Geophysics from the University of Ibadan, complemented by various international training programs in the United States, France, and Sweden.\n\nElijah's ambition was never to become the Vice Chancellor of MTU. Instead, he aimed to secure an international appointment, which led him to spend time in African countries and the Middle East. It was during one of these trips that a university in the Middle East offered him an appointment, prompting him to reconsider his career path.\n\nAs the first professor of Applied Geophysics at UNILAG, Elijah did not view this achievement as extraordinary. Rather, he saw it as an opportunity to contribute to the development of his field, shape policies, and positively impact others. His contributions extend beyond UNILAG and MTU, influencing other universities as well.\n\nIn response to the evolving landscape of education, Elijah emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship and practical skills for students. He believes that education should be relevant to society and involve solving real-world problems. MTU focuses on fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among students, encouraging creativity and the development of business ideas. Additionally, students receive vocational training in various fields, such as music, leatherwork, farming, ICT, and bead-making, ensuring they possess a diverse skill set upon graduation.\n\nElijah also stresses the significance of moral and spiritual development, instilling strong Christian values in students to equip them with adaptability and purpose. The integration of digital technology in education allows for the provision of electronic lecture materials and digitally-enabled lecture rooms, ensuring students remain engaged and prepared for classes.",
  "summary": "The Vice Chancellor of Mountain Top University, Professor Ayolabi Elijah, speaks about his career, educational journey, and views on student empowerment. Read More: https://punchng.com/i-would-have-been-a-footballer-mountain-top-varsity-vc-elijah/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "I would have been a footballer — Mountain Top varsity VC, Elijah",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/i-would-have-been-a-footballer-mountain-top-varsity-vc-elijah",
        "published": "2026-09-26T23:40:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}