President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has advised federal universities to find sustainable funding options to tackle pressing infrastructure challenges.
Addressing the 37th convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), the President said his administration, within two years, had recorded bold and remarkable achievements across federal universities.
President Tinubu, who was represented by the Vice Chancellor of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Eboyin State, Prof. Jesse Uneke, highlighted the reforms his administration had undertaken since its inception.
These include the Energising Education Programme (EEP), which has delivered solar energy solutions to federal universities.
“It may interest you that the EEP Phase 3 project in FUTO has been fully completed and commissioned, ensuring uninterrupted 24-hour electricity supply,” he said.
The President announced key interventions his administration has taken, including the release of N50 billion for unpaid allowances, N150 billion for a NEED Assessment Fund (in three N50 billion tranches in 2025), a Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund offering interest-free loans up to N10 million, and streamlined NELFund guidelines for transparency.
Acknowledging funding limitations, President Tinubu urged federal universities to leverage endowment funds and public-private partnerships (PPP) for the development of infrastructure, like hostels and staff quarters, referencing the government’s PPP project guidelines.
He said: “Despite these interventions, the demands of our universities continue to grow, and it is evident that the government alone cannot meet them adequately.
Therefore, the universities are encouraged to pursue sustainable funding options such as endowment funds, and public-private partnerships to tackle pressing infrastructure challenges, including hostel accommodation and staff quarters.
“I urge FUTO to forge strategic collaborations with the private sector, addressing needs without imposing unnecessary pressure on students and parents,” he said.
The President advised the university to deepen industry engagement, boost research, and apply innovations to communities.
He said: “Technology must serve humanity, and FUTO must be the bridge between knowledge and national prosperity.”
President Tinubu hailed the parents and guardians for investing in their children’s education and equipping them “with the requisite skills to become not only useful to themselves but also impactful contributors to Nigeria and the global community”.
The President congratulated recipients of honorary degrees, urging them to be “ambassadors of this institution” and serve Nigeria with greater impact.
FUTO’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nnenna Oti, highlighted her administration’s efforts to enhance staff welfare, including the promotion of 203 professors, 594 non-academic staff members, 1,690 senior non-teaching staff members, and 232 junior non-teaching staff members.
Praising President Tinubu for his support, she stressed that FUTO students were among the first to benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFund).
Also, the Pro-Chancellor, Senator Jack Tilley-Gyado, and the Chancellor of the 13th Governing Council, Alhaji Muhammadu Aliyu Mustafa, outlined the challenges facing the university, such as a lack of staff quarters, a deteriorating road network, and ongoing encroachment and annexation of FUTO land by land grabbers and speculators.
Highlights of the ceremony included the conferment of honorary degrees on Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma (D.MT Honoris Causa) alongside the award of postgraduate degrees to 542 candidates.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
