At the 35th Convocation of Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo (AFUED), President Tinubu, represented by Prof. Adebayo Bamire, Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun, addressed key issues affecting the nation’s universities.
The President stated that his administration has been working to stabilize the country’s economy and is fully aware of the challenges in Nigerian universities.
He said, “This administration is not oblivious of the predicaments in the universities. The paucity of funds to enhance administrative matters is a general and perennial challenge for most tertiary institutions.”
He also highlighted other difficulties, including “infrastructural decadence, shortage of manpower and growing insecurity of cult fraternities, among others, on the campuses”.
“We are taking commensurate steps to address these challenges decisively,” Tinubu affirmed.
He assured Nigerians that tertiary institutions have been incorporated into the government’s plans for increased funding, enabling them “to compete favourably with others globally”.
The president also mentioned that emerging problems in the upgraded colleges of education to university status would be addressed.
Tinubu encouraged the graduating students to “endeavour to make meaningful impacts in the society,” urging them to be “creative, resilient, impulsive, and spontaneous.”
In his speech, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by Secretary to the State Government Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, praised the university’s role in advancing education nationally. He commended the management for “recording success despite a myriad of challenges” and urged students to “remain focused”.
The governor promised continued collaboration between the state government and the institution “for the benefit of the society”.
The acting vice-chancellor of AFUED, Prof. Samuel Akintunde, reported that 12,556 graduates were conferred first degrees, 6,269 received the Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE), and 1,501 were awarded diplomas.
Prof. Akintunde called on graduates to “be outstanding in their endeavours”, encouraging them to be “innovative and creative in solving societal problems, thereby creating and making legitimate wealth.”
He also acknowledged the support of the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu; Prof. Toyin Falola; and the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo, but revealed that the institution “is yet to get a take-off grant since it was upgraded.”
“It should be stated that we are yet to get a take-off grant. All that had been achieved so far had been through the internally generated revenue,” he said.
Prof. Akintunde added, “It is important to build two or three faculties and remodel the existing structures to occupy other faculties. Also, the laboratories and resource centres are yet to be upgraded.”
Hajia Ganiyat Yusuf, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, reiterated the council’s dedication to supporting “the national vision outlined in Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda”, promising that the council “would continue to do its best as a body that had direct oversight functions over the university.”
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), among the graduates, 51 earned First Class, 3,090 had Second Class Upper, 6,805 got Second Class Lower, 2,087 had Third Class, and 154 obtained Pass.
NAN also reported that honorary doctorate degrees (Honoris Causa) were awarded to the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu; the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo; and Toyin Falola, professor of African Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, U.S.
