Covenant University Don Named Among Africa’s Leading Voices on Higher Education Reform
Funmi Ogundare
A Nigerian academic and researcher at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Dr. Ada Peter, has been recognised among 25 women shaping conversations on the future of higher education across Africa, by the Education Collaborative.
The recognition places Peter alongside prominent education leaders and administrators from across the continent who are rethinking how African universities can better respond to shifting economic, technological and social realities.
Founded by Ashesi University, the Education Collaborative has emerged as a key platform for cooperation among higher education institutions in Africa, focusing on improving student outcomes, graduate employability, entrepreneurship, and ethics.
The initiative promotes shared learning and cross-border collaboration among universities seeking to strengthen their long-term impact.
Peter’s selection reflects a growing emphasis within the sector on ensuring that academic experiences translate into practical skills, career readiness, and opportunities for graduates.
She is also co-founder of Ribara, an employability and education data platform developed by professionals affiliated with Covenant University and Harvard University. The platform is designed to help students and early-career professionals to assess and improve job readiness, while enabling institutions to better align curricula with evolving labour market demands.
Speaking on the development, Peter who is also the Director of the Centre for Learning Resources at the university, stressed the importance of human capital development to Africa’s future.
“Africa’s greatest resource is not beneath the ground, it is the human capital being formed within our universities.”
The recognition comes amid broader conversations across the continent on how higher education can remain relevant in a rapidly changing global landscape, with increasing focus on innovation, skills development and institutional reform.
Other women recognised by the Education Collaborative include Naziema Jappie, Rose Dodd, DeBrenna Agbényiga, Esi Ansah, Olive Sabiiti, Angela Owusu-Ansah, and Enase Okonedo.
Others are Priya Iyer, Joleen Boateng, Sibongile Muthwa, Esther Ineza, and Grace Amponsah.
