Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced that the federal government is actively working to reinstate the policy of full autonomy for universities. Tinubu argues that autonomy will shift the responsibility of performance directly to individual institutions, allowing them to progress at their own pace without external constraints. Speaking at the 48th convocation ceremony of the University of Benin in Edo State, Tinubu assured that the current administration is committed to formulating sustainable policies that will have a lasting impact.
He acknowledged the concerns about unpaid salaries due to previous strikes and emphasized the government’s dedication to improving welfare conditions and infrastructure in universities. Tinubu also called for education policies to be inclusive, accommodating all segments of the youth population through specialized skills acquisition programs.
He commended the University of Benin for its achievements and expressed optimism about the institution’s future progress under the current administration’s infrastructure development plans. Tinubu urged the university community to prioritize the overall interests of the institution over personal or sectional interests.