The convocation was not only a celebration of the academic accomplishments of the graduands but also an opportunity to honour distinguished personalities whose contributions
By Njoku Vincent
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in Nigeria’s education sector to expand access to quality learning and equip young Nigerians with the knowledge and skills needed for national development.
The President pledged on Saturday at the 55th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where postgraduate diplomas, higher degrees, honorary doctorates and the title of Professor Emeritus were conferred on deserving recipients.
Represented by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, Tinubu described education as the most strategic investment any nation could make for its future.
According to him, education remains the bedrock of sustainable economic growth, technological advancement, national unity and social cohesion.
He said the Federal Government would continue to expand opportunities for Nigerian students through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that the Students’ Loan Scheme was making higher education more accessible to qualified students irrespective of their financial circumstances.
“This initiative reflects our conviction that no qualified Nigerian should be denied access to education because of economic circumstances,” the President said.
Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of academic and non-academic staff through enhanced remuneration, professional development opportunities, research support and institutional reforms aimed at ensuring stability in the nation’s tertiary education system.
He congratulated the University of Nigeria on its 55th convocation and wished the institution continued success in advancing excellence, innovation and service to Nigeria, Africa and the global community.
In his remarks, the Chancellor of the university and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, congratulated the graduands, describing their achievements as a testament to hard work, resilience and perseverance.
The monarch also commended the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, for what he described as remarkable achievements recorded in less than one year in office, noting that the university had witnessed one of its most impressive periods of development since he became Chancellor 11 years ago.
Earlier, Ortuanya said the convocation was not only a celebration of the academic accomplishments of the graduands but also an opportunity to honour distinguished personalities whose contributions had impacted society.
He recalled that the university’s founding father, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, envisioned UNN as more than Nigeria’s first indigenous university, but as an institution that would serve as the intellectual conscience of the nation, promote leadership through character and contribute meaningfully to humanity.
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted major infrastructural achievements recorded within the past 11 months, including the comprehensive reconstruction of internal roads across the university’s three campuses, complete with modern drainage systems and pedestrian walkways.
He also announced the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on four distinguished personalities.
The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, received the honorary Doctor of Public Administration (Honoris Causa) in recognition of her contributions to public service, women empowerment and national development.
High Chief Williams Agbo was awarded the honorary Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa) for his accomplishments as an entrepreneur, industrialist and philanthropist.
Dr. William Richardson, an American faith leader and education advocate, received the honorary Doctor of Social Work (Honoris Causa), while renowned architect and entrepreneur, Arc. Dr. Kelechi Orji, was honoured with the Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa).
Ortuanya further disclosed that the university conferred a total of 2,944 postgraduate qualifications, comprising 1,390 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, 1,340 Master’s degrees and 214 Postgraduate Diplomas.
Responding to the honour, the First Lady expressed gratitude to the university’s Governing Council, Senate, management, staff and students for considering her worthy of the honorary doctorate.
She described the award as a great honour and pledged to remain committed to initiatives that promote education, women empowerment and national development.