President Bola Tinubu has reassured Nigerians of his administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the education sector through strategic funding and practical policies.
He emphasized that quality education remains a top priority for his government, ensuring accessibility for all citizens.
Tinubu made this statement during the 9th Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), where 8,444 students graduated, including 177 first-class degree holders.
Investing in Higher Education
Speaking at the event, Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Adebayo Bamire, who represented the president, highlighted various initiatives aimed at improving tertiary education in Nigeria.
One of the major policies is the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), designed to provide financial assistance to students in public universities across all six geo-political zones.
Currently, over 300,000 students are benefitting from the initiative.
“This is part of the government’s response to the challenges facing tertiary education, ensuring that no Nigerian is denied education due to financial constraints,” Bamire stated.
Greater Autonomy for Universities
In a significant policy shift, the federal government recently removed public tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
This decision grants universities more autonomy in managing their payroll and personnel, a move aimed at improving efficiency and reducing bureaucratic delays.
Additionally, the government has retained automatic deductions of 40% from universities’ internally generated revenue, a measure designed to enhance institutional financial independence.
“This decision ensures universities have greater control over their resources, allowing them to function more effectively,” Tinubu noted.
Honoring Distinguished Nigerians
During the convocation, four prominent Nigerians received honorary doctorate degrees in recognition of their contributions to society:
- Chief Adebayo Ojo (SAN) – Doctor of Public Law
- Kanu Agabi (SAN) – Doctor of Private Law
- Segun Alebiosu (First Bank MD) – Doctor of Banking and Finance
- Dr. Allen Onyema (Chairman, Air Peace) – Doctor of Business Administration
Challenges Facing Higher Education
Delivering the convocation lecture, Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, identified key challenges hindering quality tertiary education in Nigeria, including:
- Inadequate funding
- Lack of essential resources
- Poor leadership
- Shortage of qualified lecturers
- Brain drain and insecurity
Echono emphasized that university autonomy should cover academic, administrative, and financial independence, allowing institutions to make decisions that drive educational growth.
A Call for More Government Support
The Pro-Chancellor of FUOYE, Senator Victor Edoma-Egba, and former federal lawmaker, Senator Ayo Arise, urged the government to introduce more economic concessions that will help Nigerian universities compete globally.
Meanwhile, FUOYE Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence and national development since its establishment in 2011.
He also highlighted the institution’s rapid infrastructure development, positioning FUOYE as a leading university in Nigeria.
Education Is the Future – Let’s Invest in It!
With the government’s renewed focus on education, Nigerian students and stakeholders must seize opportunities provided by initiatives like NELFUND and university autonomy policies.
Investing in education is investing in the future—let’s work together to build a brighter Nigeria!
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