Tinubu Urges Repositioning Of Tertiary Institutions As Hub Of Innovation, Knowledge

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has warned that the nation’s development goals will remain elusive unless tertiary institutions reposition themselves as hubs of innovation, knowledge creation and national progress.

Speaking at the University of Ibadan’s (UI) 77th Foundation Day ceremony, held at the institution’s International Conference Centre in Ibadan on Monday, he called for a sustainable and realistic funding model for Nigeria’s university system.

Represented by the executive secretary of the National University Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, he lauded the institution for sustaining its reputation as Nigeria’s premier university and for its contributions to scholarship and national development.

The President said he considered it “an honour” to join the university in celebrating what he described as “a powerful milestone” in its long history of excellence, growth and transformation.

“University of Ibadan is a force to reckon with in the global realm. Through years of steadfastness and commitment, it has continued to maintain its position as the first and the best in Nigeria.”

Tinubu acknowledged the deep-rooted challenges confronting Nigeria’s higher education sector, particularly inadequate funding, noting that these issues undermine the country’s ability to compete globally.

He commended university unions for drawing public and government attention to the funding crisis, saying, “I assure you the challenges are surmountable if we put all hands on deck,” Tinubu said.
He explained that his administration had worked to minimise the issues linked to unimplemented agreements with university workers and reiterated the government’s commitment to quality education.

He also appreciated the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other unions for the “level of understanding shown so far” as solutions are pursued collaboratively.

Tinubu stated that his government had implemented innovative measures to enhance education financing since 2023, highlighting the strengthened support for the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

The interest-free loan scheme, he noted, has recorded steady growth in student enrollment and aims to expand access to higher education.

“We recognise that challenges still exist, but development is a continuous journey, not a final destination,” he added.

The President urged university unions to appreciate the broader national realities, noting that every sector of the economy was clamouring for increased funding at a time of limited resources.