The Ogun State Government has formally transferred the 21-year-old, state-owned Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) to the Federal Government.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Governor Dapo Abiodun on behalf of the Ogun State Government and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmed, representing the Federal Government. The signing ceremony was witnessed by the University Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello; the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adekunle Adeogun; and the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, among others.

Speaking at the 17th convocation ceremony of the university, Governor Abiodun described the handover as a “historic transition.”

He said the story of the university is deeply rooted in history, noting that it began in 1978 as the Ogun State College of Education. The institution was established to award the National Certificate in Education (NCE) and, in its formative years, was affiliated with the University of Ibadan for its Bachelor of Education programmes. It was later affiliated with Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, for programmes leading to the award of Bachelor of Technology degrees and the Postgraduate Diploma in Education.

According to the governor, the college later evolved into a specialised university in response to a critical national need to address gaps in pedagogy that were evident in conventional universities, particularly in the depth and quality of teacher preparation for foundational education.

He added that the institution was deliberately designed to integrate vocational skills and entrepreneurial training, ensuring that graduates were equipped not only with academic knowledge but also with practical skills for self-reliance.

“Equally compelling was the need to establish a national resource centre for Colleges and Institutes of Education, dedicated to improving teaching quality and learning outcomes across the country,” he said.

The governor further noted that the university adopted a collegiate system comparable to faculty structures in conventional universities. By the 2005/2006 academic session, following guidance from the National Universities Commission (NUC), the institution had grown to four colleges, 18 departments, 38 academic options, and a student population of about 3,800.

“Today, this great university stands as a compelling symbol of vision, growth, and academic excellence, proudly structured into six colleges and offering a rich spectrum of learning through 63 undergraduate programmes, 46 master’s programmes, and 42 PhD programmes. This breadth reflects both depth and intellectual ambition,” he said.

Speaking after receiving an award at the ceremony, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said the honour would spur her to continue promoting initiatives that enhance education, especially for children and youths.

“Over time, the College evolved into a specialised university in response to a critical national need to address gaps in pedagogy that were evident in conventional universities, particularly in the depth and quality of teacher preparation for foundational education.

Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, the First Lady urged the graduating students to be worthy ambassadors of both the institution and the country wherever they find themselves.

Senator Tinubu was honoured with a doctoral degree from the Department of Childhood Education, Tai Solarin University of Education. She also endowed the best graduating female student in the department with a sum of ₦50 million, to be disbursed over a period of 10 years.

Earlier, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adekunle Adeogun, disclosed that the 17th convocation produced a total of 4,717 graduands. Of this number, 40 students graduated with First Class honours, 1,466 earned Second Class Upper Division, 2,768 obtained Second Class Lower Division, 492 graduated with Third Class, while 19 earned Pass degrees.

He added that a total of 384 graduates were produced by the university’s Postgraduate School.
Prof. Adeogun urged the graduates to go into the world and shine, teach with passion, and carry the name of the institution with honour wherever they go.

Meanwhile, the overall best graduating student, Edward Awofala, who recorded a CGPA of 4.92, was rewarded with ₦1.5 million by the First Lady, while Governor Abiodun also awarded him ₦2 million.