President Bola Tinubu has promised to increase funding for federal universities to meet global standards.
Speaking at the 35th convocation of the Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo (AFUED) in Ondo State, Tinubu acknowledged the challenges facing the nation’s universities, including inadequate funding, infrastructure decay, and insecurity.
Tinubu, who was represented by the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, assured Nigerians that his administration is taking steps to address these issues and has factored universities into its plans for more funding.
Tinubu also highlighted the perennial challenges faced by tertiary institutions, including paucity of funds, infrastructural decadence, and shortage of manpower.
He, however, assured that his administration is committed to addressing these challenges decisively.
“This administration is not oblivious of the predicaments in the universities. The paucity of funds to enhance administrative matters is a general and perennial challenge for most tertiary institutions.
“Other challenges like infrastructural decadence, shortage of manpower and growing insecurity of cult fraternities, among others, are on the campuses.
“We are taking commensurate steps to address these challenges decisively,” he said.
The president urged graduating students to make meaningful impacts in society and be creative, resilient, and spontaneous.
He emphasised the importance of education in shaping the future of the country and encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities available to them.
Also speaking, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Samuel Akintunde, revealed that 12,556 students were being conferred with first degrees, while 6,269 were receiving the Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE).
He disclosed that 51 students had First Class, 3,090 had Second Class Upper, 6,805 got Second Class Lower, 2,087 got Third Class, and 154 got Pass.
While commending the roles played by notable individuals, including the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, and Prof. Toyin Falola, Akintunde noted that the institution is yet to receive a take-off grant since its upgrade and urged the government to provide support.
“It is essential to build two or three faculties and remodel the existing structures to occupy other faculties. Also, the laboratories and resource centres are yet to be upgraded,” he said.
The convocation ceremony also saw the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on notable individuals, including the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, and Prof. Toyin Falola.
The ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries, and it marked a significant milestone in the university’s history.
