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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering dialogue as a means of achieving lasting industrial peace within Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Speaking at the 49th Convocation Ceremony of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) at the weekend, Tinubu emphasised the importance of collaboration between the government and university staff to ensure stable and productive learning environments.
Represented by Professor Kabir Bala, a former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, the President reiterated ongoing efforts to review conditions of service and remuneration for university staff to align with current economic realities.
“We are working to ensure that our universities remain open, stable, and conducive to learning,” he stated.
Tinubu noted that his administration is intensifying measures to establish a sustainable framework in collaboration with relevant staff unions and the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission, saying this framework aims to reward dedication and innovation while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
The president also disclosed his intention to commercialise research findings, promote entrepreneurship, and generate jobs for Nigerian graduates. “The Federal Government is committed to dialogue as the surest path to lasting industrial peace in our tertiary institutions,” he said.
Emphasising the government’s educational initiatives, Tinubu highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), set to provide interest-free loans to indigent students in public tertiary institutions from the 2025/2026 academic session.
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He said, “This initiative will also extend to vocational and technical education, along with allowances for books and accommodation to alleviate financial burdens.”
Addressing the graduating class, Tinubu said, “Your generation represents the hope and promise of a better Nigeria. Our nation looks to you not only for success but also to effect positive change in your communities and beyond.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his convocation lecture titled “Raising a New Generation of Leaders for the World in Such a Difficult Time Through University Education,” advocated the establishment of leadership departments in universities.
Represented by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Akpabio said, “We all want to be leaders, but unfortunately, our institutions lack departments that teach leadership. This must change.”
In support of Akpabio’s initiative, Ibrahim announced that the 10th National Assembly is committed to building a leadership centre for OAU, contingent upon the creation of a degree-awarding department in leadership education.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, reported that a total of 6,526 students graduated during the ceremony, providing a breakdown of degrees awarded as follows: 54 undergraduate diplomas, 5,253 classified degrees, 295 unclassified degrees, and 959 postgraduate degrees.
Bamire commended the university council and management for their dedication to maintaining a peaceful academic environment. The ceremony also featured the conferment of honorary doctorate awards on distinguished individuals such as Emeritus Professor Olu Aina, Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, Engineer Demola Aladekomo, and Alhaji Adeyemi Adeniji.
