It won’t be in the interest of anyone if Nigerian economy collapses — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, warned that a collapsed Nigerian economy will not be in the interest of anyone, calling on academic unions, especially the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and others to partner with the government in building the economy.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmed, made the call while speaking at the 76th foundation day of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

A total of 485 graduands received their Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the institution, and four eminent Nigerians were given honorary doctoral awards, including a former Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Oluwafemi Bamiro.

The president maintained that unions must recognise that all sectors in the country need more financing and that the government was working assiduously to fulfill its obligations with the available resources.

Tinubu said: “At this juncture, let me persuade university unions, especially ASUU, to recognize that all sectors in the country need more financing and that the government is working assiduously to perform its obligations with the resources available to it.

“A collapsed economy will not be in anybody’s interest. I submit that unions should partner with the government to arrive at a funding blueprint for the university system in the country that will take cognizance of local peculiarities and modern realities based on global best practices.

“Ivory towers, the world over, are generally regarded as temples of wisdom and innovation. They are places where ideas are mined and even manufactured into finished products for the development of humanity. They are the bastions against darkness and strongholds from which policymakers and enforcers emerge to roll back the tides of ignorance and destruction.

“Any university that does not make worthwhile contributions to the positive transformation of its country and the global community has failed to live up to the reason for its existence.

“Arising from this fact, my challenge to Nigerian universities generally is to re-assess themselves in the light of national and global expectations.”

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University’s Council, Chief Adebisi Akande, who was represented by Nelson Alakpa, lamented the disconnect between Nigerian universities and the agriculture sector. He called for the establishment of farming villages.

The Sultan of Sokoto and Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, appealed to governments at all levels to provide more funding to tertiary institutions. Abubakar noted that this is necessary to address the challenges facing the education sector.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, said: “I passionately appeal to Mr. President for special priority attention to be given to the University of Ibadan in the form of dedicated reconstruction and rehabilitation funds, as well as an increased allocation spread over time. As the oldest university and an Academic Heritage of all Nigerians, the University of Ibadan should be given special status, which comes with sufficient support and resources to transform it into a world destination for academic and intellectual pilgrimage.”