President Bola Tinubu has asked Nigerian Universities to provide evidence-based advice and innovative solutions to tackle the challenges of insecurity, food insecurity, climate change, technology lag, among other issues facing the country.

He stated that research outputs from universities in Nigeria should move from the shelves to industries where they are needed, and should translate into policies that shape developmental priorities.

Tinubu spoke at the weekend in Nsukka, Enugu state during the 55th Convocation ceremony of the University of Nigeria (UNN).

Represented by the  Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof Edoba Omoregie, the President underscored the important role of Universities in advancing national development, stressing that improvements in infrastructure, research output, global visibility, digital transformation and institutional governance are commendable and worth of recognition..

He added; “The Federal Government will continue to support initiatives that strengthen teaching, research, innovation and infrastructure development across our universities. We shall continue to create an enabling environment that allows our institutions to flourish and contribute meaningfully to national growth and global competitiveness”.

He reiterated the commitment of his administration to education as the “foundation upon sustainable economic growth, technological advancement, national security and social cohesion”.

In this regard, he reassured opportunities for Nigerian students through the Students loan scheme, managed by the Nigerian Educational Loan Fund (NELFUND). He said the scheme was making higher education more accessible to deserving young Nigerians regardless of their financial background.

“This initiative reflects our conviction that no qualified Nigerian should be denied access to education because of economic circumstances.

“Through the TETFund, we will continue to prioritise increased investment in infrastructure, staff development and support for research and innovation, and promote curriculum reforms. Our goal is to ensure that our higher institutions produce graduates who are not only employable but are also capable of creating employment and driving economic transformation”, he stated.

He promised to improve the welfare and capacity of academic and non-teaching staff through better pay package, reforms that encourages professional development, research excellence and institutional stability.

While praising the UNN for its role in advancing national development, he also commended the institution for keying into the Renewed Hope Agenda of the federal government.

Commending the graduands, he reminded them that their certificate was an invitation to national service, stressing that the country needs their knowledge, creativity, courage and integrity to solve its problems, especially on job creation, strengthening democracy and development of industries.

He, however, assured that his administration was doing everything possible to engage the youth productively, stressing that it is promoting digital economy by expanding tech hubs, digital skills training, and providing funding for young tech entrepreneurs.

Earlier, Vice Chancellor of UNN, Prof Simeon Uchenna Ortuanya, explained that his eleven months old administration has reinvented institutional capacity, reimagined the University and rebuilt global relevance, while entrenching the founding mission of restoring the dignity of man.

He said within the past eleven months, the three campuses have become construction sites with rehabilitation of internal roads, Eni-Njoku hostel, Eyo-Ita hostel, Nkurumah and Odili hostels, adding that the abandoned Zik’s flat was been rehabilitated.

He added that the physical environment of the  school had been reclaimed, with reconstruction of  collapsed perimeter fences, a new entrance gate among others.

Ortuanya said that 1,984 deserving members of staff across various cadres had received well -earned promotions, including 25 distinguished scholars who attained the rank of Professor.

“During the last 11 months, we have welcomed distinguished delegations from Sweden and Taiwan, while our own delegations have engaged strategic institutions and governments, including the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Belarus, Michigan state University in the United States, University of Waterloo in Canada, Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, and the federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology“, he added.

While a total of 2,994 graduands received various degrees,  he stated that the four awardees including Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of President Bola Tinubu were selected based on their  track record of achievements.

He said Mrs Tinubu who bagged a Doctor of Public Administration (Honoris Causa) was in recognition of her “distinguished contributions to public service, women empowerment, social development, and her unwavering commitment to advancing the welfare and dignity of vulnerable Nigerians”.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for the innovations in education, especially the NELFUND initiative, saying that it has provided opportunity for families to train their children in higher education.

Chancellor of the University/Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, told the graduating students  that their certificates were symbols of academic accomplishment, stressing that the world would measure them based on their character, integrity and impact on society.

“As ambassadors of the University of Nigeria, let your conduct everywhere reflect the values of discipline, excellence, integrity, hard work and respect for humanity. Let your success become a testimony to the quality of education you have received here,” he urged them.