President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restated his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s tertiary education system through greater investment in innovation, research, and skill development.
Speaking at the 40th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Ilorin on Thursday, the President, represented by the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Professor Temidayo Oladiji, praised UNILORIN’s consistency in maintaining discipline and academic excellence, describing it as a model for other universities across the country.
“As the University of Ilorin approaches its 50th anniversary, it continues to stand tall as a centre of excellence. Nigeria must produce Nobel laureates, and I believe UNILORIN can lead that charge,” Tinubu said.
He announced that the university had been selected as one of the host institutions for the National Universities Commission’s Digital Innovation Hubs—an initiative aimed at enhancing research, digital skills, and entrepreneurship among students. According to him, “This hub will position Ilorin as a leading centre for innovation in Nigeria’s knowledge economy.”
Tinubu also revealed that UNILORIN is among 18 institutions benefiting from a N110 billion federal intervention to expand medical training facilities in the country. He urged the university to sustain its strides in agricultural research and align with federal programmes such as the Livestock Development Initiative and the Green Money Project.
Acknowledging the nation’s economic challenges, the President appealed to Nigerians for patience, assuring that his administration’s reforms would yield positive outcomes in due course. “I acknowledge the temporary hardships Nigerians face today, but these challenges are short-lived. The foundation we are laying will build a stronger and more inclusive economy,” he said.
He further explained the government’s decision to suspend the establishment of new federal tertiary institutions, noting that the focus was now on strengthening existing ones for better results. “We must prioritise quality over quantity,” he added.
Tinubu also commended UNILORIN student, Sanusi Akanbi Kazeem, who earned a Guinness World Record for conducting the longest mathematics class, describing the feat as “a reflection of the creativity and determination of Nigerian youths.”
Addressing the graduating students, Tinubu charged them to be innovative and resilient in pursuing their dreams. “Your degree is not a meal ticket but a call to serve. Be creative, innovative, and self-driven—the future belongs to you,” he said.
He commended the university’s leadership under Vice Chancellor Professor Wahab Egbewole (SAN) for upholding the institution’s legacy, and also appreciated the Chancellor, Alhaji (Dr.) Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, and the Pro-Chancellor, Surveyor Abiodun Aluko, for their contributions to education development.
The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, represented by the Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Professor Abdullateef Folorunsho Oladimeji, lauded UNILORIN for its record of excellence, revealing that the institution attracted over N12 billion in research grants from local and international partners within the last two years.
Vice Chancellor Professor Wahab Egbewole congratulated the 11,886 graduating students, including 316 First Class graduates, urging them to uphold the university’s values of discipline and integrity. “At 40, our university has matured. The future begins now—be deliberate in shaping your destiny,” he advised.
He highlighted several student achievements, including Sanusi Akanbi Kazeem’s world record, and the accomplishments of veterinary students Karimot Abisola and Idris Nahimah Opeyemi, who won a $5,500 Global Morris Foundation Scholarship. He also mentioned engineering student Qudus Aduraghemi, whose team won €1,200 in a European innovation challenge.
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