President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday called for a sustainable and realistic funding model for Nigeria’s university system, warning that the nation’s development goals will remain elusive unless tertiary institutions reposition themselves as hubs of innovation, knowledge creation, and national progress.
Speaking at the University of Ibadan’s (UI) 77th Foundation Day ceremony, which took place at the institution’s International Conference Centre, Tinubu, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, praised the institution for maintaining its reputation as Nigeria’s leading university and for its contributions to scholarship and national development.
The President said he considered it “an honour” to join the university in celebrating what he described as “a powerful milestone” in its long history of excellence, growth and transformation.
“University of Ibadan is a force to reckon with in the global realm,” he said. “Through years of steadfastness and commitment, it has continued to maintain its position as the first and the best in Nigeria.”
Tinubu acknowledged the deep-rooted challenges confronting Nigeria’s higher education sector, particularly inadequate funding, noting that these issues undermine the country’s ability to compete globally. He commended university unions for drawing public and government attention to the funding crisis.
“I assure you the challenges are surmountable if we put all hands on deck,” Tinubu said.
He explained that his administration has worked to minimise issues linked to unimplemented agreements with university workers and reiterated the government’s commitment to quality education. He also appreciated the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other unions for the “level of understanding shown so far” as solutions are pursued collaboratively.
Tinubu stated that his government has adopted innovative measures to enhance education financing since 2023, highlighting the strengthened support for the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The interest-free loan scheme, he noted, has recorded steady growth in student enrollment and aims to expand access to higher education.
“We recognise that challenges still exist, but development is a continuous journey, not a final destination,” he added.
The President urged university unions to appreciate the broader national realities, noting that every sector of the economy is clamouring for increased funding at a time of limited resources.
“A collapsed economy benefits no one. I call on our unions to partner with government in crafting a sustainable funding model that reflects local realities while aligning with global best practices”, he said.
Tinubu emphasised that universities worldwide serve as “hubs of innovation and wisdom,” producing thinkers and leaders who drive societal progress. He challenged Nigerian universities to undertake a rigorous self-assessment to determine how well they are meeting national and global expectations.
“Any university that fails to make meaningful contributions to national and global development is not fulfilling its core mandate,” he declared.
To the graduating students, Tinubu extended warm congratulations, praising their resilience, hard work and commitment to excellence. He urged them to go beyond academic knowledge and deploy creativity, character and compassion as they step into new phases of life.
“Knowledge and skills are tools. It is your character that will define your legacy,” he told the graduands. “Be bold in your pursuit of excellence and unwavering in your commitment to impact the world positively.”
The President also congratulated parents and guardians, acknowledging their sacrifices and praying that their efforts be richly rewarded.
In his address, the Chancellor of the university, who is the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, said: ” I need not elaborate further on the challenges posed by insufficient funding. Our prayer is that Nigeria’s economic fortunes will improve, enabling the implementation of the sound policies of this administration.
“To parents, students, youth and all stakeholders, I urge patience and cooperation with university management as they explore ways to complement government efforts”.
Also speaking, the institution’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Chief Bisi Akande, said the constant misunderstanding between the Federal Government and the staff unions – particularly the gale of strikes by the ASUU, and the topsy-turvy it often generates- stem from the over-centralisation of bureaucratic confusions and avoidable official interferences “and could be reduced to the barest minimum with meaningful, honest and sincere adherence to the extant establishment laws and the rules and regulations of various universities”.
Speaking, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the university, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, noted that the institution has achieved various milestones, while also acknowledging challenges such as electricity and security, among others.
The VC disclosed that 487 candidates from various disciplines were awarded Doctor of Philosophy degree, with candidates from Education and Arts topping the list with 137 and 72 graduands respectively.
He said the Senate of the institution had approved the creation of two additional faculties: Faculty of Nursing and Faculty of Computing.
“Also, approval was given for the Department of Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering in the Faculty of Technology. The University also presented and got NUC approval to start B.Sc. Social Work, and B.Ed Educational Technology. Others are B.SC. Ed. Computer Science and B.Eng Biomedical Engineering in the 2025/2026 session,” Adebowale said.
Dr. Adesola Adeduntan and Barrister Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede were awarded an honorary Doctor of Science.
