President Tinubu Urges Nigerian Universities to Develop Solutions for Insecurity and Food Crisis

President Bola Tinubu has challenged Nigerian tertiary institutions to move beyond classroom teaching and actively develop research-driven solutions to national issues, including food insecurity, climate change, and persistent security challenges. Speaking at the 55th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), the President emphasized that academic research must transition into actionable public policies and industrial innovations rather than remaining confined to university archives.

Represented by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, the President highlighted higher education as Nigeria’s most critical investment for achieving economic growth, technological advancement, and social stability. He reiterated the administration’s commitment to expanding access to tertiary education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and funding university infrastructure, research, and curriculum reforms via the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

Addressing concerns over youth unemployment, he noted ongoing initiatives aimed at expanding digital skills, supporting technology hubs, and restructuring the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) toward entrepreneurship.

The convocation event also featured addresses from key university stakeholders, including the Chancellor, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, who urged graduating students to complement their degrees with practical skills required in an evolving global economy.

Pro-Chancellor Prof. Adegboyega Adebayo Karim and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya reaffirmed UNN’s commitment to academic innovation and international research partnerships, announcing the conferment of 2,994 postgraduate qualifications, including 1,390 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, 1,340 Master’s degrees, and 214 Postgraduate Diplomas.