President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s educational system, fostering innovation, and ensuring uninterrupted academic calendars across tertiary institutions.
The President made this known in an address delivered at the 40th Convocation Ceremonies of the University of Ilorin, held on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
He was represented at the event by the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Professor Temidayo Oladiji.
In his message, President Tinubu congratulated the University of Ilorin for its achievements over the past five decades, describing it as “a beacon of academic excellence and discipline.”
He assured that the Federal Government would fully participate in the institution’s upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations.
The President praised the University’s research breakthroughs and innovative strides, noting that the Federal Government would continue to strengthen TETFund and related agencies to support academic research and innovation.
“Nigeria must produce Nobel laureates, and we believe this University can lead that charge,” he stated.
Highlighting key policy directions, Tinubu announced that the University of Ilorin had been selected to host one of the National Universities Commission’s Digital Innovation Hubs, designed to promote digital skills, enterprise incubation, and research collaboration among youths.
He also disclosed that the University is among the 18 institutions benefiting from a ₦110 billion national intervention to expand medical training facilities-- part of efforts to produce more healthcare professionals.
He encouraged the institution to take advantage of ongoing Federal Government programmes such as the Livestock Development Initiatives, the Green Money Project, and the CNG School Bus Scheme.
On national issues, President Tinubu assured Nigerians that the ongoing economic reforms were necessary steps toward restoring stability and building a more inclusive economy.
He appealed for patience and understanding, noting that “the foundation we are laying will yield a stronger, more resilient, and prosperous future.”
Addressing challenges in the education sector, the President reaffirmed the government’s decision to suspend the creation of new federal universities in order to consolidate and strengthen existing ones.
“We prioritise quality over quantity,” he emphasized, adding that more resources would be channeled to improve existing institutions.
Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s determination to ensure uninterrupted academic calendars nationwide.
He noted that the Federal Government had paid earned allowances and part of withheld salaries of university staff, while also establishing a loan scheme to assist tertiary institution workers in the face of current economic realities.
He urged staff unions to maintain dialogue and cooperation to avoid future disruptions.
Calling for broader participation in funding education, the President urged alumni, the private sector, and individuals to complement government efforts, stressing that “education is too important to be left solely to government.”
Turning to the graduating students, Tinubu congratulated them for their hard work and perseverance, reminding them that their degrees were “not meal tickets, but calls to leadership and responsibility.” He charged them to be creative, innovative, and resilient in shaping the nation’s future.
He concluded by wishing the graduands success in their future endeavours, expressing confidence that they would serve as worthy ambassadors of both the University and Nigeria.
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