The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday, formally handed over the Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun, to the Federal Government during the institution’s 17th convocation ceremony.
The Memorandum of Understanding for the transfer was signed at the event by Abiodun and the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Ahmad.
Abiodun said, “At this juncture, I formally declare that Ogun State has today (Thursday) 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.”
The Federal Government had officially announced the takeover of the university in March 2025 as part of efforts to strengthen teacher education in the country.
Also at the convocation, the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who received an honorary doctorate in Child Education, announced a N50m endowment fund and support package for the overall best graduating female student of the university for a period of 10 years.
Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs Nana Shettima, dedicated the award to the advancement of girl-child education.
Remi Tinubu, Osoba hailed
Abiodun and a former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, were also conferred with honorary doctorate degrees in Education Management and Political Science, respectively.
Osoba’s honour was hailed by a real estate developer and Chief Executive Officer of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, Dr Babatunde Adeyemo, who described the former governor as one of the nation’s most respected voices in politics, journalism, governance and leadership.
Adeyemo said Osoba’s tenure was marked by purposeful governance, massive rural and urban development, infrastructural renewal, community empowerment and policies rooted in compassion and accountability.
“Despite leaving office about 23 years ago, Osoba’s legacies in Ogun State remain visible, meaningful and celebrated,” Adeyemo said.
Abiodun said the elevation of the institution to federal status reinforced the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving legacy institutions and strengthening teacher education as a strategic pillar of national development.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the takeover, noting that the move had enhanced equity in the geographical spread of federal universities and reinforced the government’s commitment to empowering Nigerians through quality education.
“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.
He added that the development also recognised the role played by the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, whose intervention, he said, was instrumental to the survival of the institution at a critical moment.
Tracing the history of the university, the governor said it began as a College of Education in 1978 before becoming a university in January 2025, with an initial population of 3,800 students.
According to him, the institution has grown to offer 63 undergraduate programmes, 46 Master’s programmes and 42 PhD programmes, with an undergraduate population of over 35,000 students.
Abiodun said the university’s journey showed that “with clear direction and collective resolve, institutions can rise, endure and continue to inspire generations to dream boldly and achieve greatly.”
He urged the graduating students to deploy the skills acquired during their studies to address socio-economic challenges facing the country.
Gbolahan Awofala, a Computer Science graduate with a CGPA of 4.92, emerged as the overall best graduating student and received a N2m cash prize from the state government, as well as an additional N1.5m from the wife of the President.
Speaking after receiving her honorary doctorate, Mrs Tinubu said education remained the foundation of individual empowerment and national transformation.
She said she had remained committed to promoting access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities and expressed humility over the recognition.
Tinubu said the Federal Government recognised education as a critical pillar of national development and would continue to prioritise investment in the sector.
Reaffirming her commitment to girl-child education, she announced a N50m endowment fund for the overall best graduating female students of the university for a period of 10 years.
She urged the graduands to be worthy ambassadors of the institution and the country.
Earlier, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Adekunle Adeogun, said the 17th convocation produced 4,717 graduands, including 40 First Class graduates, 1,466 Second Class Upper, 2,768 Second Class Lower, 492 Third Class and 19 Pass degrees.
Adeogun added that 384 students graduated from the university’s Postgraduate School.
“Go into the world and shine, teach with passion and carry the name of the institution with honour wherever you go,” he charged.
He thanked the Federal Government for taking over the university, saying the move had brought significant improvements, particularly in infrastructure.
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