The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has praised President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to improving higher education in Nigeria, highlighting the transformative nature of his initiatives.
During a recent ceremony at the University of Calabar, where he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law in celebration of the institution’s 50th anniversary and 37th convocation, the minister commended Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for revitalizing the university system.
He emphasized the significance of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, noting its role in providing financial assistance to students and ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder access to quality education.
Additional interventions in the higher education sector were also acknowledged, including the Student Start-up Innovation and Entrepreneurship Grant, which supports young entrepreneurs, and the removal of universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, reinstating financial autonomy for institutions.
Moreover, the minister applauded the decision to allow TETFund research funds to be managed within individual universities, calling it a policy that enhances research capabilities and fosters innovation.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda has revitalized our university system through significant interventions that are reshaping the landscape of tertiary education,” he remarked.
He reiterated that the approval for the management of TETFund Research Funds within universities strengthens their capacity for impactful research and innovation. “These visionary policies are setting Nigeria’s university system up to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” he stated.
Expressing gratitude to the University of Calabar for the honorary degree, the minister viewed the recognition as motivation to further contribute to national development. “As I accept this honorary doctorate, I do so with renewed determination to advance education, promote good governance, and foster national progress. The University of Calabar has honored me, and I embrace this privilege with a strong sense of responsibility,” he concluded.
