TINUBU’S EDUCATION REFORMS SET TO TRANSFORM NIGERIA’S FUTURE — PRO-CHANCELLOR

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Dr. Kayode Ojo, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing reforms in the education sector, describing them as strategic measures aimed at repositioning Nigeria for sustainable national development.

Speaking during the university’s convocation ceremony, Dr. Ojo said the administration’s education policies under the Renewed Hope Agenda have begun addressing long-standing challenges that have hindered growth in the tertiary education system.

“This administration’s focus on education is not cosmetic; it is structural. We are repositioning not only our universities but the nation. If we get the education sector right, we build the future,” he said.

He highlighted key reforms such as the removal of universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), which is expected to restore institutional autonomy, and the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to expand access to funding for students.

Dr. Ojo also lauded the increased budgetary allocation to education in the 2025 fiscal plan, noting that the sector received one of the highest provisions in recent years — an indication of the government’s renewed commitment to human capital development.

“The reforms are a clear demonstration that this administration recognises education as the foundation for national transformation. With adequate support, Nigerian graduates can be globally competitive and innovative,” he added.

The Pro-Chancellor, however, urged the government and other stakeholders not to relent in addressing persisting challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, poor funding, limited research facilities, and unstable power supply in universities. He emphasised that collaboration between the public and private sectors is key to translating the reforms into tangible progress across campuses.

“We must match policy with action. Government, academia, and industry must work together to ensure these reforms yield measurable results that improve teaching, research, and innovation,” he said.

Dr. Ojo stressed that quality education remains vital to national prosperity, adding that Tinubu’s education reforms have the potential to reshape Nigeria’s future by producing skilled graduates who can drive economic diversification and global competitiveness.

Analysts have also noted that the reforms, if sustained, could empower universities to modernise their systems, enhance staff welfare, and strengthen accountability and innovation within the sector.

Dr. Ojo’s remarks underscore a growing consensus that Nigeria’s development hinges on the success of its education system — and that the ongoing reforms represent a crucial step toward unlocking the country’s full potential.