From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has charged graduates of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), to move beyond seeking paid employment by embracing innovation, entrepreneurship and lifelong learning to create jobs and contribute to Nigeria’s development.
Tinubu gave the charge during the university’s 41st convocation ceremony, where he described education as a strategic investment in the nation’s future and urged the graduating students to deploy their knowledge to solve societal problems.
“In a world increasingly shaped by digital technology and artificial intelligence, I encourage you not only to seek employment, but also to create it,” the President said.
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Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmed, Tinubu congratulated the Class of 2026 and described their certificates as instruments for solving problems, creating opportunities and serving humanity.
He commended UNILORIN for sustaining academic excellence, institutional discipline, relative industrial stability and prudent resource management, while expressing satisfaction with its research achievements in areas including drug treatment and artificial intelligence-powered electrocardiogram testing.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving teaching and learning, expanding research capacity and equipping Nigerian graduates with the skills required to compete in the global economy.
He cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the 3 Million Technical Talent Programme and the Student Innovation Challenge as initiatives designed to expand access to education, improve infrastructure, strengthen digital skills and promote entrepreneurship.
According to him, figures available for August 2026 showed that NELFUND had disbursed more than ₦322 billion to over 1.6 million students nationwide, covering tuition, institutional fees and upkeep allowances.
Tinubu also stressed the importance of industrial harmony in tertiary institutions, noting that agreements had been reached with academic and non-teaching staff unions on the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tool Allowance, effective from January 1, 2026.
He described university workers as indispensable to the education sector, adding that staff welfare, stable academic calendars and constructive engagement were essential to delivering quality education.
On the 2027 general elections, the President urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to shun political violence, intimidation, hate speech and misinformation, while participating peacefully in the democratic process.
“Elections are not war. Democracy is a contest of ideas, not violence,” he said.
He urged voters to assess candidates based on their records and programmes and hold elected officials accountable through lawful means.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by his deputy, Kayode Alabi, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education as a driver of sustainable development, social mobility and economic growth.
AbdulRazaq highlighted investments in infrastructure, accreditation, modern learning facilities, laboratory equipment, digital learning systems, scholarships and bursary programmes for eligible indigenes.
He also cited the completion of the Osi and Ilesha campuses of Kwara State University and the establishment of the Kwara State University of Education as measures to expand access to tertiary education and strengthen teacher training.
The governor commended UNILORIN’s management and staff for sustaining its academic standards, promising continued collaboration with educational institutions to create opportunities for young people.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr Haja Ramatulai Wurie, called for stronger collaboration among universities, governments and communities to ensure that academic research informs policymaking and addresses societal challenges.
Delivering the convocation lecture, titled “From Lecture Hall to Cabinet Room: The Journey from Academia to Public Leadership,” Wurie said evidence-based policymaking must combine research data, institutional realities and community experiences.
She stressed that technology alone could not guarantee effective public services without reliable data, sound governance, accountability and public trust.
“Research capacity is national development capacity. Co-design the questions. Co-lead the work. Share the benefits,” she said.
UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, also challenged researchers to translate their findings into practical solutions in healthcare, food security, education, manufacturing, environmental sustainability and public policy.
“Take your research beyond the thesis. Take your knowledge beyond the laboratory. Take your discoveries beyond the University gates,” he urged.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Surveyor Abiodun Aluko, commended the Federal Government for its interventions in tertiary education but called for increased funding for research that addresses Nigeria’s developmental needs.
“Research is the engine of development. No nation can develop beyond the level of research conducted in its universities,” Aluko said.
