President Bola Ahmed Tinubu unveiled over the weekend the federal government’s strategy to reintroduce full autonomy for universities in Nigeria. This policy will place the responsibility for performance directly on the institutions, promoting an accountable and self-regulated academic environment.
At the University of Benin’s 48th convocation ceremony, Mr. Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Niger Delta Development, spoke on behalf of President Tinubu. He highlighted that this initiative would free universities from external bureaucratic constraints, enabling them to develop at their own pace.
The ceremony also celebrated the conferral of honorary degrees on notable Nigerians, including Dr. Kayode Adegbulugbe from Green Energy International Limited, former Governor Babatunde Fashola, Edo State Governor’s wife Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission CEO, Mr. Gbenga Olu Komolafe.
President Tinubu firmly believes that granting autonomy to universities is crucial for enhancing the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria. He committed his administration to reshaping the country’s education sector with sustainable policies and appropriate resource allocation.
Responding to the unpaid salaries issue following an eight-month industrial action by university staff, President Tinubu announced a four-month salary waiver. He explained this approach as balancing the government’s dedication to welfare improvement against its ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy.
According to a report by This Day Live, President Tinubu also underscored the Tertiary Education Trust Fund’s (TETFund) role in demonstrating the government’s commitment to education. This commitment includes providing essential infrastructure like lecture theatres, student hostels, and learning tools.
He called on education policymakers and universities to revise policies to embrace every youth segment, stressing the importance of specialized skills programs and internships. President Tinubu emphasized the universities’ diverse roles in research, skill impartation, entrepreneurship, and moral guidance for the youth.
He advocated for a united effort to achieve industrialization, economic prosperity, and self-reliance, reflecting the vision of Nigeria’s founding fathers.
President Tinubu commended the University of Benin for its achievements and encouraged it to maintain its critical role in providing the country’s essential manpower. He expressed optimism about the university’s future and pledged his administration’s support in advancing higher education in Nigeria.
At the convocation, the university recognized Dr. Adegbulugbe, Fashola, Mrs. Obaseki, and Komolafe for their national development contributions. The honorees expressed their gratitude and renewed their commitment to Nigeria’s growth.
Fashola, in his address, challenged the graduates to contribute to society using their newly acquired skills and knowledge. He and the other honorees committed their ongoing support to the University of Benin.
