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Says FG is committed to enhancing quality education at all levels
From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
President Bola Tinubu has said that an educated society is the bedrock of economic growth, social stability, and national advancement.
Tinubu said this in Nsukka on Saturday, July 26, during the 54th convocation ceremony of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) while delivering the institution’s Visitor’s address.
He said that his administration recognises the importance of an educated society to national growth and development and has budgeted more funds for the education sector in the 2025 federal budget.
“An educated society fosters innovation, reduces crime, and empowers citizens to make informed decisions. Recognising this, my administration has prioritised the revitalisation of Nigeria’s education sector as the cornerstone of our renewed hope agenda.
“When we assumed office two years ago, the state of education in Nigeria was far from ideal. However, through targeted policies and strategic investments, we have initiated transformative changes aimed at inclusivity, skill acquisition, data-driven planning, and quality enhancement.
“In an unprecedented move, my administration allocated a record N3.52 trillion to education in the 2025 federal budget, a 61.47 per cent increase from the previous year. The substantial allocation underscores our commitment to improving infrastructure, expanding student funding, and enhancing access to quality education at all levels,” he said.
The President, who was represented by Prof Maduebibisi Iwe, Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, urged the graduands to use the knowledge and training garnered from UNN to contribute to national development.
“Graduands, the entrepreneurial training you have received here equips you to think innovatively and contribute meaningfully to our nation’s transformation.
“As you step into the world, remember that your education is a tool for change; use it to drive progress under our renewed hope agenda,” he said.
Speaking, Dr Kayode Ojo, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, UNN, congratulated those who received higher degrees and urged them to use them to contribute to national development.
He also congratulated those who received awards of honorary degrees for their outstanding contributions and urged them to honour it as something that would spur them to do more for humanity.
He appreciated the support of President Tinubu to UNN, but he regretted that the past management in the university did not justify the huge investment made in the university.
“While appreciating Mr President for his unprecedented support to UNN, it’s sad to note that the university has not justified the huge investments owing to massive decay of critical infrastructure, abandoned projects, and environmental challenges.
“These, in addition to the diminished job satisfaction by the academic and non-teaching staff arising from long-term poor administration performance, have reduced the lion’s den to an abandoned poultry.
“Happily, however, our council has since carried out a holistic review of plans and strategies to revamp UNN to its lost glory,” he said.
Earlier, in a remark, Prof Oguejiofo Ujam, Acting Vice-Chancellor, UNN, said his administration in the past five months had made significant achievements, such as providing access roads and clean water for students’ hostels and staff quarters.
“Through an alumnus of the university, we now have a 50,000-litre tank that provides water for the institution,” he said.
Ujam disclosed that one of the challenges bedevilling the institution is the power supply, lamenting that the monthly public electricity bill of the university is not less than N200m.
“This financial burden significantly impacts our operational capacity and resource allocation,” the VC lamented.
“UNN is making every effort to ameliorate the problem as we have signed an MoU with the Rural Electrification Agency for 10 megawatts of electricity,” he said.
The VC, while congratulating the graduands, urged them to always identify with and support their alma mater and be good ambassadors of the institution wherever they find themselves.
Chief Barr Andrew Oru and six others were among eminent Nigerians conferred with an honorary doctorate award by the institution.
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