President Bola Tinubu used the 54th convocation of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to reaffirm that reviving the nation’s education sector remains the “cornerstone” of his Renewed Hope Agenda, citing a record ₦3.52 trillion allocation to education in the 2025 budget as proof of his commitment . Represented by Michael Okpara University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, Tinubu stressed that an educated populace is “the bedrock of economic, social growth and technological advancement.”
He noted that since taking office two years ago, his administration has initiated targeted policies—ranging from expanded student funding to data-driven planning—and touted the 61 percent year-on-year budget increase as “unprecedented,” aimed at upgrading infrastructure and widening access at all levels . Tinubu urged graduands to leverage their training “as tools for change,” admonishing them to “drive progress and development” upon entering the workforce.
Pro-Chancellor Dr. Kayode Ojo acknowledged the president’s support but lamented that UNN still grapples with decaying facilities and unpaid staff welfare, calling for follow-through on government investments and stronger university governance to match the funding boost. Acting VC Prof. Oguejiofo Ujam detailed recent improvements—new access roads, water tanks—and flagged power costs of ₦200 million per month as a major obstacle to sustaining academic excellence .
Education experts applaud the funding surge but warn that budgetary allocations must be matched by accountability: “More money is vital, but so are outcomes-based monitoring and teacher-training reforms,” said a Lagos-based policy analyst. They argue that without robust oversight, large appropriations risk becoming another line item rather than a catalyst for substantive sectoral transformation.
Looking forward, Tinubu’s challenge will be translating convocation rhetoric into measurable improvements: reduced out-of-school rates, higher enrollment in STEM fields, and enhanced university rankings. The planned expansion of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and private-sector partnerships could help sustain momentum—but only if implementation matches priority.
