UNILORIN convocation: Tinubu, others urge graduates to turn knowledge into service

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, and the 41st Convocation Lecturer of the University of Ilorin, Hon. Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, have charged graduates of the institution to translate their knowledge into innovation, job creation, leadership, and service to humanity.

The trio gave the charge on Friday at the 41st convocation ceremony of the university, urging the graduating students to uphold integrity, embrace lifelong learning, and use their knowledge and skills to address societal challenges.

Represented at the ceremony by a delegation, President Tinubu congratulated the Visitor of the University, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, the Emir of Katsina; the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Surveyor Abiodun Jacob; the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN; as well as the Governing Council, management, staff, and students of the institution on another successful academic year.

The President said the university’s commitment to academic excellence, discipline, and institutional development continues to strengthen the nation’s higher education system.

Addressing the graduating students, he noted that their achievement reflected years of hard work, perseverance, and sacrifice, supported by their parents, guardians, and dedicated lecturers.

President Tinubu said graduation marks not only the celebration of academic achievement but also the beginning of greater responsibility, urging the graduates to regard their certificates as instruments for solving problems, creating opportunities, and serving humanity rather than merely qualifications for employment.

“In a world increasingly shaped by digital technology and artificial intelligence, I encourage you not only to seek employment, but also to create it. Become innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and problem solvers,” he said.

He urged the graduates to make excellence their standard, integrity their compass, and service their enduring commitment, stressing that Nigeria needs their creativity, patriotism, and enterprise to build a prosperous future.

The President described universities as vital to national development because of their roles in producing skilled professionals, advancing research, nurturing leadership, and generating innovations capable of strengthening society and the economy.

He commended the University of Ilorin for its enduring reputation for academic excellence, institutional discipline, relative industrial stability, and prudent resource management.

President Tinubu said he was particularly encouraged by the university’s research achievements in areas such as stroke treatment and artificial intelligence-powered electrocardiogram testing.

He said his administration recognises education as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future and will continue to support efforts to improve teaching and learning, expand research capacity, and equip graduates to compete in an increasingly interconnected world.

President Tinubu noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda places education at the heart of national development, stressing that financial hardship should not prevent eligible Nigerian students from accessing tertiary education.

He said it was in this spirit that the Federal Government established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in April 2024.

According to him, figures available as of August 2026 showed that NELFUND had disbursed more than ₦322 billion to over 1.6 million students nationwide, comprising ₦192 billion for tuition and institutional fees in 319 public tertiary institutions and ₦129 billion for student upkeep allowances.

“Through NELFUND, we are easing the financial burden on families and expanding opportunities for young Nigerians,” he said.

The President added that the Federal Government is also supporting infrastructure and research through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), while initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent Programme and the Student Innovation Challenge are being implemented to develop digital skills, encourage innovation, and promote entrepreneurship.

He said the interventions reflect the government’s determination to build a productive, innovative, and competitive economy.

President Tinubu urged the graduates to embrace lifelong learning, strengthen their digital and analytical skills, and remain adaptable to changing economic realities, stressing that their degrees should be regarded as foundations for continued learning, innovation, and value creation.

On the stability of the tertiary education system, the President said a strong university system requires a stable academic calendar, motivated staff, and constructive engagement among government, university management, and staff unions.

He said his administration remains committed to implementing agreements with tertiary education unions, improving staff welfare, and addressing outstanding concerns through dialogue and responsible negotiation.

President Tinubu disclosed that the Federal Government had signed agreements with academic and non-teaching staff unions of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education on the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance (CATA) and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tool Allowance (CONTA), respectively, with effect from January 1, 2026.

He said the agreements recognise the distinct but complementary contributions of academic and non-teaching personnel to the effective functioning of tertiary institutions, stressing that both categories are indispensable to quality education and national development.

The President also acknowledged the economic difficulties experienced by many Nigerians during the current reform process, noting that the removal of petroleum subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange markets had imposed significant adjustment costs on households and businesses.

He said the reforms were undertaken to address pressure on public finances and create a stronger foundation for sustainable development, adding that improved public revenue, where sustained, could support investment in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and other essential services.

President Tinubu said the government’s compressed natural gas initiative is aimed at expanding alternative transportation options, while student financing and targeted social protection programmes are intended to ease the burden on vulnerable Nigerians.

He said the government will continue to pursue policies aimed at promoting investment, employment, food security, and a more inclusive distribution of economic gains.

As the country prepares for the 2027 general elections, President Tinubu called on Nigerians, particularly youths, to participate peacefully, responsibly, and in accordance with the law.

He cautioned young Nigerians against political thuggery, intimidation, hate speech, and the spread of fake news, stressing that elections should be contests of ideas rather than violence.

The President urged Nigerians to examine the records and programmes of candidates, engage in constructive debate, and hold public officeholders accountable through lawful means, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to supporting a free, fair, credible, and peaceful electoral process.

Similarly, the Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in education as a strategic pathway to sustainable development, social mobility, and economic growth.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Elder Kayode Alabi, the Governor said education remains the most reliable pathway to a prosperous future and that his administration has continued to prioritise the sector as a catalyst for individual and societal development.

He said the administration’s vision for education goes beyond the construction of physical infrastructure, noting that meaningful investment must also address teaching quality, curriculum relevance, research strength, and institutional capacity.

According to him, the comprehensive approach is designed to prepare young people for the demands of a rapidly changing world and equip them with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to contribute meaningfully to society.

The Governor highlighted some of the administration’s achievements in the sector, including the completion of the University and Law Complex at Kwara State University and the establishment of the Kwara State University of Education to strengthen teacher training and improve educator preparedness.

He also highlighted strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including TETFund, to upgrade learning facilities, equip laboratories with modern resources, and advance digital learning systems at the basic education level.

On students’ welfare, Abdulrazaq said the administration has sustained its bursary and scholarship programmes to expand access to education and reduce the financial burden on students and their families.

He commended the management, Governing Council, Senate, lecturers, and other members of staff of the University of Ilorin for their commitment to maintaining high academic standards.

The Governor particularly acknowledged the university’s recent achievement as Nigeria’s top-ranking institution for research quality, describing the feat as a demonstration of its commitment to scholarship, research, and innovation.

He congratulated the graduating students on their hard work, discipline, and sacrifices, while also commending their parents, guardians, and educators for their support throughout their academic journey.

The Governor urged the graduates to apply the knowledge and skills acquired at the university with integrity, creativity, and discipline, particularly in addressing challenges confronting their communities and the wider society.

He advised them to see their education not merely as a means of securing employment, but as a platform for creating opportunities, developing solutions, and contributing to the development of Kwara State and Nigeria.

Also speaking, the 41st Convocation Lecturer, Hon. Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, who is Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education, charged leaders to lead with substance, purpose, and evidence, stressing the need to build people and institutions that will outlast them.

Delivering the convocation lecture titled “From Lecture Hall to Cabinet Room: The Journey from Academia to Public Leadership,” Dr. Wurie said being young and female in public leadership brings visibility and a responsibility to lead with substance.

She urged leaders to remain anchored in purpose, be prepared, consistent, and evidence-minded, and remember who their work is for.

The Minister advised leaders to build alliances, seek counsel, and avoid leading in isolation, adding that scrutiny should be treated as accountability while remaining open to challenge and correction.

On technical and higher education, Dr. Wurie said her Ministry sits at the intersection of human capital, skills, innovation, and opportunity, in line with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP 2024–2030).

She listed human capital development, Feed Salone, the Youth Employment Scheme, digitalisation, and public-sector transformation among the key areas of the Ministry’s portfolio.

Drawing from Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) experience with the Central Admissions System, the Minister said the model could be tailored to Sierra Leone to reduce duplication and improve transparency.

She stressed the need for systems to be designed around people through clear information, disability inclusion, support for low-connectivity environments, and strong data privacy.

On research and policy, Dr. Wurie said research should begin with national needs, asking what Sierra Leone needs to know and which evidence will improve decision-making.

She said universities should serve as national problem-solving institutions by providing knowledge, innovation, talent, policy evidence, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

The Minister called for partnerships that build capability rather than dependency, based on mutual respect, shared ownership, complementary expertise, capacity development, and shared outcomes.

She cited JAMB technical cooperation and Nigerian Technical Aid Corps volunteers as examples of such partnerships.

Dr. Wurie also stressed the importance of people and inclusion, saying people are infrastructure and that barriers affecting women, girls, and persons with disabilities must be removed.

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She advocated a three-step personal leadership practice: “Pause”, to create space; “Reflect”, to learn from what happened; and “Raise the Bar”, by turning insight into a better next step.

The Minister further emphasised continuous learning and the need to extend the classroom into public leadership, noting her ongoing development as an Amujae Leader under the African Women’s Leadership Academy.

She identified four core takeaways for leaders — “Learn Deeply”, “Serve Sincerely”, “Stay Teachable”, and “Raise the Bar” — urging leaders to remain curious, serve where knowledge can make a difference, seek counsel, and build people and institutions that will outlast them.

Dr. Wurie urged leaders to move from knowledge to service, from service to leadership, and from leadership to impact.

President Tinubu, meanwhile, again congratulated the graduating students, describing them as the Class of 2026, and urged them to make their families, the university, and the country proud.

He charged them to become worthy ambassadors of the institution by pursuing excellence, upholding integrity, embracing innovation, and serving humanity, while urging the university leadership, staff, and entire community to sustain their commitment to scholarship, research, innovation, and responsible citizenship.