- Tinubu Calls on Universities to Drive Innovation, National Development
- Says Research Must Move From Shelves to Industries
- Pledged continued investment in public universities through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has challenged Nigerian universities to produce practical, evidence-based solutions to the country’s pressing challenges, including insecurity, food insecurity, climate change and technological underdevelopment.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the President made the call on Saturday while addressing the 55th convocation ceremony of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he was represented by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Edoba Omoregie.
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Tinubu said the Federal Government was looking to the nation’s universities to generate research that would shape public policies and drive national development.
“Our country is facing numerous challenges, including insecurity, food insecurity, climate change and technology lag. We are looking up to the universities to provide evidence-based advice and innovative solutions to these problems. Research outputs from our universities should move from the shelves to industries where they are needed and should translate into policies that shape our developmental priorities,” he said.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding access to higher education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying the scheme was ensuring that no qualified Nigerian was denied tertiary education because of financial constraints.
He also pledged continued investment in public universities through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), with emphasis on infrastructure development, staff training, research, innovation and curriculum reforms.
According to Tinubu, the Federal Government is also working to improve the welfare of academic and non-teaching staff while reforming the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to become more skill-oriented, entrepreneurial and technology-driven.
He commended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, for aligning with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda through ongoing improvements in infrastructure and academic development.
In his remarks, the Chancellor of the university, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, said the institution remained committed to strengthening academic programmes, expanding research, embracing digital transformation and improving campus security.
The Vice Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, said the university had continued to improve the quality and relevance of its academic programmes while strengthening research, international collaborations, public-private partnerships and information technology.
A total of 2,994 postgraduate degrees were awarded during the convocation, including 1,390 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, 1,340 Master’s degrees and 214 postgraduate diplomas.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was also conferred with an honorary Doctor of Public Administration degree during the ceremony.
