Rider: President urges institutions to turn research into practical solutions as UNN awards 2,994 higher degrees and honours First Lady, others.
President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian universities to provide evidence-based solutions to the country’s pressing challenges, including insecurity, food insecurity, climate change and technological advancement.
President Tinubu made the call on Saturday at the 55th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he was represented by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Edoba Omoregie.
Delivering the Visitor’s address, the President urged universities to ensure that academic research translates into practical solutions capable of driving national development and economic transformation.
“While the government is doing its part, I challenge Nigerian universities to live up to their calling. Our country is facing numerous challenges like insecurity, food insecurity, climate change, technology lag, among others. We are looking up to the universities to provide evidence-based advice and innovative solutions to these problems,” President Tinubu said.
He added that research outputs should move beyond university shelves into industries and policymaking spaces where they can shape developmental priorities.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to education, Tinubu highlighted ongoing interventions through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), aimed at expanding access to higher education and improving institutional infrastructure.
“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.
The President charged the graduating students to embrace the future with optimism despite prevailing economic challenges, describing their certificates as a call to national service.
“Nigeria needs your knowledge, creativity, courage and integrity. The future of our country will be shaped not only by government but also by young men and women like you who are prepared to solve problems, create jobs, build industries and strengthen our democracy,” he said.
Earlier, the Chancellor of the University and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, commended the institution’s leadership for repositioning the university for global relevance and urged graduands to remain adaptable in a rapidly changing world.
“The enduring strength of this University lies in its ability to continually reinvent itself to meet contemporary challenges,” he said.
The monarch noted that artificial intelligence, digital technologies, climate change, global economic uncertainties and evolving labour markets require graduates who are innovative, adaptable and committed to lifelong learning.
Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Adegboyega Karim, highlighted the university’s achievements in academic development, infrastructure, research, digital transformation and international collaborations over the past eleven months.
He called on stakeholders to complement government efforts in funding tertiary education to sustain institutional reforms.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, disclosed that the institution conferred 2,994 higher degrees, comprising 1,390 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, 1,340 Master’s degrees and 214 Postgraduate Diplomas.
The university also conferred honorary doctorate degrees on the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Doctor of Public Administration); High Chief Williams Agbo (Doctor of Business Administration); Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson (Doctor of Social Work); and Arc. Kaycee-Kelechi Orji (Doctor of Business Administration).
In addition, the title of Professor Emeritus was conferred on Prof. Peter-Jazzy Eze and Prof. Boniface Okere.