Vice President Kashim Shettima has restated the federal government’s resolve to reposition Nigeria’s education sector.
He affirmed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would mobilise both public and private sector support to uplift institutions such as the University of Ibadan, Nigeria’s premier university.
This is just as he was bestowed the highest alumni honour of the university as Ambassador Plenipotentiary. He obtained a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the university in 1991.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the management of the university led by the cice chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, the vice president in a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha described the institution as the greatest citadel of learning in West Africa, recalling its illustrious past and continental impact.
“This is an honour that I cherish deeply. Ibadan is certainly the greatest citadel of learning in this country and in West Africa. When we were there, we had students from South Africa, Namibia, and even the Caribbean.
“There was a time when the King of Saudi Arabia was sick and he was recommended for treatment at the University College Hospital, Ibadan,” the vice president said.
He pledged the government’s commitment to mobilising resources for educational transformation across the country.
“We are going to mobilise resources from both the private and public sectors to ensure that UI and other universities in the country succeed,” he said.
Shettima also highlighted the President Tinubu administration’s education-focused policies, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) aimed at supporting indigent students.
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are determined to rescue the educational sector. The Nigerian Education Loan Fund is the first of its kind, directly addressing the needs of underprivileged students,” he stated.
On the economy, Shettima said Nigeria had turned a corner, expressing confidence in the country’s economic trajectory.
“Our economy has turned the corner, we have crossed the Rubicon, and we are on the path to sustained economic growth. The tax revenue of the government has steadily increased. The President is an economic guru who understands the language of commerce and is completely at home in the economic ecosystem,” he said.
Earlier, Professor Adebowale explained that the award given to the vice president as UI at 75 Ambassador Plenipotentiary was the first in the university’s history in recognition of his contributions to both the public and private sectors.
“You are a foremost alumnus of the University of Ibadan — the first and the best,” Professor Adebowale said.
