President Bola Tinubu has urged stakeholders across the country to partner with his administration in tackling the financial and structural challenges facing Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Speaking on Saturday at the 36th convocation of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), where 1,030 postgraduate students graduated, the President stressed that government alone cannot shoulder the full burden of funding higher institutions. The previous day, 1,717 first-degree students had graduated across FUTA’s 10 faculties.
Represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, Tinubu said it was time for Nigerians to rethink the old model that relies almost entirely on government funding.
“While the Federal Government does not intend to abandon its responsibilities, stakeholders must help build a sustainable funding system,” he said. He also called for stronger collaboration between universities and industries so that research outcomes can be put to practical use.
The President encouraged Nigerian academics to prioritise research that responds directly to the nation’s current challenges.
Addressing the graduates, Tinubu urged them to apply their skills in entrepreneurship, agriculture, ICT, and other fields to support economic growth and create opportunities for themselves and others.
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“I am confident that you have been prepared for the competitive labour market. Use your knowledge to innovate, be productive, and contribute to national unity and development,” he said.
In her remarks, FUTA Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to its core pillars of teaching, research, and community service. She announced that all 18 programmes assessed during the NUC’s 2024 accreditation exercise earned full accreditation.
To further expand access to university education, she noted that FUTA has introduced “Top-Up” programmes, which allow HND holders to earn bachelor’s degrees. The initiative, launched in the 2024/2025 academic session, now offers 19 degree programmes across multiple schools.
