By Gabriel Dike
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday affirmed his administration’s commitment to revitalising the nation’s education sector to boost national development. He also revealed that his government sees education as the cornerstone and bedrock of Nigeria’s growth.
Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the declaration at the 55th convocation of UNILAG. At the ceremony, 6,659 students from the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS) received higher degrees, with 213 earning PhDs.
The president stated that this understanding is reflected in his administration’s policies and investments in the education sector. He disclosed that the allocation of N3.52 trillion to education underscores his government’s commitment to revitalising the sector.
Tinubu further revealed that he has initiated reforms to address systemic challenges in tertiary education. He said the conferment of honorary degrees to three prominent Nigerians underscores the values of excellence, service, and leadership that UNILAG cherishes.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of UNILAG, Chief Wole Olanipekun, advised the government to declare a state of emergency in education to arrest the drift. Olanipekun criticised the “Japa” syndrome among Nigerian youth, urging the government and stakeholders to find a solution to the issue.
His words: “Japa Syndrome is something we have to think about. We must find a solution to this syndrome. There is no more free lunch. Let us stay back together and dig it out.”
In her address, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, acknowledged the success recorded by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in a short period at the helm of the education sector. “We acknowledge and appreciate the strides you have made in repositioning the educational sector despite the obvious challenges,” she noted.
Ogunsola commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu for introducing the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for students to increase access to education. She further appreciated the administration for removing tertiary institutions from IPPIS, and endowment funds and research grants from the Treasury Single Account.
According to her, 6,725 students would be awarded postgraduate degrees, with 6,659 from the School of Postgraduate Studies and 66 from the UNILAG Business School (ULBS).
She disclosed that the highlight of the ceremony would be the recognition of various individuals for their contributions to scholarship and humanity. “We will recognise two distinguished professors who have retired but continue to contribute to scholarship and academia by awarding them as Professors Emeriti of UNILAG. These are Prof. Babajide Alo, of the Department of Chemistry and former DVC Academics and Research, and Prof. Olukayode Amund, Department of Microbiology and a former Dean of Students Affairs. We will award Prof. Victor Ariole, Department of European Languages, a Gold Medal for his ongoing contributions to the university and the nation,” she added.
The VC said the university would confer an honorary degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc) on three prominent Nigerians for their service to the nation: Mr. Fola Adeola, Engr. Kolawole Adesina, and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.