By Mark Mayah
President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving the standard of tertiary education and promoting innovation in Nigerian universities.
To this end, the president said that more investments would go into research, digital skills, and entrepreneurship at the ivory towers.
President Tinubu spoke at the 40th convocation ceremony of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) in Kwara State on Thursday.
The visitor, Represented by the vice chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof. Temidayo Oladiji, commended the University of Ilorin’s record of discipline and academic excellence, describing the institution as a model for other universities.
“As the University of Ilorin approaches its 50th anniversary, it continues to stand out as a centre of excellence. Nigeria must produce Nobel laureates, and I believe UNILORIN can lead that charge,” he said.
Tinubu announced that UNILORIN had been selected as one of the host institutions for the National Universities Commission (NUC)’s Digital Innovation Hubs, which were designed to foster creativity and entrepreneurship among students.
“This hub will position Ilorin as a leading centre for innovation in Nigeria’s knowledge economy,” he noted.
The president disclosed that UNILORIN is among the 18 institutions benefiting from a N110bn national intervention fund, aimed at expanding medical training facilities to boost the number of healthcare professionals in the country.
He urged the university to sustain its progress in agricultural research and align with federal government’s programmes such as the livestock development programme and the Green Money Project.
Addressing Nigeria’s current economic challenges, Tinubu appealed for understanding, assuring that ongoing reforms would yield positive results in due time.
“I acknowledge the temporary hardships Nigerians face today, but these challenges are short-lived. The foundation we are laying will build a stronger and more inclusive economy,” he stated.
He also justified the federal government’s decision to suspend the creation of new tertiary institutions, saying it was necessary to consolidate and strengthen existing ones. “We must prioritise quality over quantity,” Tinubu stressed.
The executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, represented by the vice chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Prof. AbduLateef Oladimeji, applauded UNILORIN for attracting over N12bn in research grants from both local and international partners in the last two years.
“The University of Ilorin continues to demonstrate that with vision and commitment, world-class achievements are possible,” he said.
The vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), described the 40th convocation ceremony as a milestone in the university’s growth, urging the graduands to uphold the values of integrity and discipline.
“At 50, our university has matured. The future begins now—be disciplined and deliberate in shaping your destiny,” the VC told the graduands.
