Tinubu, Abiodun, Osoba honoured as Ogun hands over TASFUED to FG
By Elegbede Abiodun
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, handing over the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the transfer of ownership of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, to the Federal Government, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, during the 17th Convocation of the formerly state-owned institution. | Credit: Taiwo Bankole.
The Federal Government officially announced the takeover of the university in March 2025 to bolster teacher education in the country.
The governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday, formally handed over Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun, to the Federal Government during the 17th convocation of the institution.
The Memorandum of Understanding for the transfer of the university was signed at the event by Abiodun and the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Ahmad.
This is just as the wife of President Bola Tinubu, Sen Oluremi Tinubu, who received the honorary doctorate degree of the university in child education during the convocation, announced a N50m endowment fund and support for the overall best graduating female student, which will run for 10 years.
The first lady, who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, dedicated the award to the advancement of girl-child education.
Abiodun and former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, were also honoured with doctorate degrees in Education Management and Political Science, respectively.
Abiodun, while speaking at the event, said that the elevation of the university to federal status reinforces the FG’s commitment to preserving legacy institutions and strengthening teacher education as a strategic pillar of national development
The governor hailed President Bola Tinubu for approving the takeover of the university, saying that such a move has not only helped to enhance equity in the geographical spread of federal universities but has further reinforced the government’s commitment to empowering its teeming population through qualitative education.
The governor said that “The adoption of this university by the Federal Government also advances national equity by balancing the geographical spread of federal universities, while honouring distinguished champions of education in the Ijebu-Remo axis, including the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the late Chief Bisi Onabanjo”.
Abiodun said that “the kind gesture of the Federal Government also fittingly recognises the invaluable role played by the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Dr Sikiru Kayode Adetona, whose intervention was instrumental to the survival of the institution at a critical moment in its history.”
Tracing the journey of the little beginning of the university, Abiodun said that the institution, which took off as the College of Education in 1978, transformed into a university in January 2025 with a population of 3,800.
He explained that the university has, however, over the years experienced exponential growth offering 63 undergraduate programmes, 46 Master’s programmes, and 42 PhD programmes, and with a vibrant undergraduate population of over 35,000 students,
The governor said that the journey of the university demonstrates that with clear direction and collective resolve, institutions can rise, endure, and continue to inspire generations to dream boldly and achieve greatly.
Abiodun said that the people of the state would remain grateful for the unprecedented favourable disposition of Tinubu, while TASFUED would remain a source of pride.
He stated that “At this juncture, I formally declare that Ogun State has today released the erstwhile Tai Solarin University of Education to the Federal Government of Nigeria, with all authorities and responsibilities appertaining to its new status as a federal institution.”
Abiodun, while rejoicing with the graduating students, urged them to use the educational skills acquired during schooling to provide solutions to varied socio-economic challenges bedevilling the country.
Gbolahan Awofala, with a CGPA of 4.92, a graduate of Computer Science who emerged as the overall best graduating student, got a cash reward of N2m from the state government as well as additional N1.5m from the wife of the President.
Speaking after receiving the honorary doctorate degree of the university, Mrs Tinubu said that education remains the foundation of individual empowerment and national transformation.
She stated that she had, throughout her life, remained committed to promoting access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all and was therefore humbled by the recognition from the university.
The first lady said that the government of Tinubu recognises that education remains a critical pillar of national development and would spare no effort to continue to prioritise meaningful investment in the sector
The First Lady said that in line with her commitment to supporting education, particularly girl-child education, she therefore announced a N50m endowment fund for the overall best graduating female students of the university for a period of ten years.
Mrs Tinubu urged the graduating students to be worthy ambassadors of the university and the country and join hands with other progressives to lift the nation higher.
Speaking earlier, the acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Adekunle Adeogun, said that the 17th convocation produced a total of 4717 graduands, out of which 40 students obtained First Class, 1,466 made Second Class Upper Division, 2,768 earned Second Class Lower Division, 492 obtained Third Class, while 19 obtained Pass Degrees.
A total of 384 graduates were also recorded from the university’s Postgraduate School.
The Vice Chancellor urged the graduates to go into the world and shine, teach with passion and carry the name of the institution with honour wherever they go.
Adeogun appreciated the decision of the federal government to take over the university, saying that it has brought significant transformation in terms of infrastructure, among others, to the university.
