Educated society, bedrock of economic growth, says Tinubu

Chukwuma Okeke
6 Min Read
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President Bola Tinubu says an educated society is the bedrock of economic growth, social growth and technological advancement.

Tinubu said this in Nsukka on Friday in an address during University of Nigeria Nsukka 54th convocation to award higher degrees, diplomas, honorary degrees and professor emeritus.

The President who was represented by Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, the Vice-chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike.

Said it’s because of this that his administration had prioritised the revitalisation of the country’s education sector as corner stone of my Renewed Hope Agenda.

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“It’s because of importance education to national growth and development that I budgeted more funds to eduction in 2025 national budget.

“An educated society fosters innovation, reduces crime, and empowers citizens to make informed decisions .

“Recognising this, my administration has prioritised the revitalization of Nigeria’s eduction sector as cornerstone of my renewed hope agenda.

“When we assumed office two years ago, the state of eduction in Nigeria was far from ideal.

He said through a targeted policies and strategic investment, his administration had initiated transformative changes aimed at inclusivity, skill acquisition, data-driven planning, and quality enhancement.

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“In an unprecedented move my administration allocated a record N3.52 trillion to eduction in the 2025 federal budget, a 61.47 per cent increase from the previous year.

” The substantial allocation underscores our commitment to improving infrastructure, expanding student funding, and enhancing access to quality education at all levels,” he said.

The president urged graduands to used the knowledge and training garnered from UNN to contribute to national development.

“As you step into the world, remember that your eduction is a tool for change, use it to drive progress and development” he said.

Speaking Dr Kayode Ojo, the Pro-Chancellor and chairman of Council UNN congratulated those who received higher degrees and urged them to use it to contribute to national development.

He also congratulated those who received award of honorary degree for their outstanding contributions to the society and urged them to use the honour as something that would made them to do more to humanity.

He appreciated Tinubu for unprecedented support to UNN but he however said that, it’s sad that the university had not justified huge investment by government.

“While appreciating Mr President for his unprecedented support to UNN, it’s sad to note that the university has not justified the huge investments.

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“Owing to massive and decay of critical infrastructures, abandoned projects and environmental aesthetic challenges.

“These in addition to the deminished job satisfaction by the academic and non-teaching staff arising from long term poor administration performance, have reduced the lion’s den to abandoned poultry.

“Happily however, our council has since carried a holistic review of plans and strategies to revamp UNN to its lost glory,” Ojo said.

Earlier in a remark, Prof Oguejiofo Ujam, Acting Vice-Chancellor, UNN said his administration in the past five months had made significant achievements such as providing access roads, clean water for students’ hostel and staff quarters.

“Through an alumnus of the university, we now have a 50,000-litre tank that provides water for the institution,” he said

Ujam disclosed that one of the challenges bedevilling the institution is power supply which he laments that the monthly public electricity bill of the university is not less than N200m

The VC while congratulating the graduands and urged them to remember to always identify and support their alma mater and be good ambassadors of the institution wherever they found themselves.

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“Through an alumnus of the university, we now have a 50,000-litre tank that provides water for the institution,” he said.

Ujam disclosed that one of the challenges bedevilling the institution is power supply which he laments that the monthly public electricity bill of the university is not less than N200m

“This financial burden significantly impacts our operational capacity and resource allocation,” the VC lamented.

Chief Barr Andrew Oru, former National President, University of Nigeria Alumni Association and six others were among the eminent Nigerians conferred with an honorary doctorate award by the institution.

In an interview with our correspondent Dr Patrick Chukwudi, a staff of Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) who earned academic PhD in Education Philosophy said he gives special thanks to God who made it possible for him to achieve the feat.
“When I finished my Junior Secondary School I nearly become a commercial motorcycle rider,

” if I have become a motorcycle rider, it will have been difficult or impossible to become a PhD holder today in this 54th UNN convocation ceremony, I give God all the glory, “he said.

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