In a call for collaborative reform, President Bola Tinubu urged university unions to join forces with the government in developing a comprehensive funding blueprint for Nigeria’s university system.
Speaking at the 76th Founder’s Day and Convocation ceremonies of the University of Ibadan on Monday, Tinubu emphasized the need for a funding model that aligns with both local conditions and global standards.
Addressing the gathering through Suwaiba Ahmad, the Minister of State for Education, President Tinubu stressed the importance of adapting Nigeria’s educational framework to the shifting demands of the 21st century.
“Let me seize this occasion to inform that the federal government, under my watch and as a listening government, has recently reversed the 18-year-minimum age for admission to higher institutions to status quo ante,” he announced, signaling a shift in policy to accommodate greater inclusivity in tertiary education.
Tinubu also acknowledged the pressing financial constraints faced by various sectors in Nigeria, including education, and encouraged unions, notably the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to recognize the broader economic challenges.
“At this juncture, let me persuade university unions, especially the Academic Staff Union of Universities, to recognise that all sectors in the country need more financing. And that government is working assiduously to perform its obligations with the resources available to it. A collapsed economy will not be in anybody’s interests,” Tinubu noted.
As part of his address, Tinubu challenged the graduating students to stay curious and resilient as they embark on their future endeavors, underscoring the role of adaptability in today’s dynamic landscape.
The convocation, attended by university leaders, faculty, students, and guests, marked another call to action for academic stakeholders in the nation’s evolving educational environment.
