President Bola Tinubu has said that his administration’s decision to temporarily suspend the establishment of new federal tertiary institutions is aimed at consolidating and strengthening existing universities across the country.
The President made this known through the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Professor Temidayo Oladiji, during the 40th convocation ceremony of the University of Ilorin on Thursday.
President Tinubu explained that his government is prioritising quality over quantity in higher education, ensuring that resources are channelled to enhance the capacity and impact of existing institutions.
“We prioritise quality over quantity. Adequate resources will therefore be channelled to existing institutions to enhance their capacity and impact,” the President stated.
“Similarly, we are resolute in ensuring uninterrupted academic calendars across our universities.”
He further revealed that the federal government had paid earned allowances and part of the previously unpaid salaries of both academic and non-teaching staff, while a new loan scheme had been designed to support tertiary institution workers amid current economic challenges.
“The loan scheme is a genuine economic empowerment, not a burden,” Tinubu said, expressing optimism that ongoing engagement with staff unions would prevent future industrial disruptions.
The President urged individuals, alumni, and the private sector to complement government efforts in funding education, stressing that education is too important to be left solely to government authorities.
“The partnership of all stakeholders is vital in building a prosperous and knowledge-driven nation,” he added.
Addressing the graduands, Tinubu congratulated them and advised them to view their degrees as a call to leadership and responsibility rather than as mere credentials for employment.
“Be creative, innovative, and resilient. The future belongs to you, and it is your generation that must transform Nigeria into the nation of our dreams,” he charged.
He also acknowledged the economic hardship currently faced by Nigerians but assured that the reforms being implemented are designed to restore stability and unlock productivity for a more prosperous future.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor AbdulWahab Olasupo Egbewole, described the 40th convocation as a milestone, symbolising maturity and readiness for greater achievements.
“At 40, a person is seen as mature and responsible. Likewise, our university has come of age. This is the time to stand firm and make deliberate efforts to shape our destiny,” he said.
The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, praised the University of Ilorin for its achievements and continued commitment to excellence. He noted that the university had attracted over ₦12 billion in grants from national and international partners in the past two years and commended its digital innovation efforts.
A total of 13,868 students graduated during the ceremony, with 316 earning First Class degrees.
