President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration’s ongoing economic reforms will soon yield positive results.
According to the president, the temporary hardships being experienced across the country are only temporary and necessary for building a stronger and more resilient economy.
He stated this on Thursday at the 40th Convocation Ceremonies of the University of Ilorin, held at the institution’s main auditorium.
The president was represented by the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Temidayo Oladiji.
While congratulating the management, staff, and graduands of the university, Tinubu announced that the University of Ilorin had been selected to host one of the NUC’s Digital Innovation Hubs, a flagship project aimed at promoting creativity, research, and entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths.
He said; “This initiative is designed to harness the ingenuity and entrepreneurial potential of our young people, not only within this University but across Kwara State and the North Central region.
“The Digital Innovation Hub will serve as a catalyst for digital skills development, research, and enterprise incubation, positioning Ilorin as a leading centre for innovation in Nigeria’s knowledge economy.”
The President also revealed that the university is among the 18 institutions benefiting from the ₦110 billion national intervention to expand medical training facilities, an initiative targeted at addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals in the country.
The president praised UNILORIN’s record of research breakthroughs and its scholars’ access to TETFund grants declaring that; “Nigeria must produce Nobel laureates, and we believe this University can lead that charge.”
He further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to stabilising the economy, emphasising that current reforms are essential to unlocking productivity and creating long-term prosperity.
“I acknowledge the temporary hardships Nigerians face today, but I assure you these challenges are short-lived. The foundation we are laying will yield a stronger, more inclusive economy,” he said.
He added that the Federal Government had temporarily suspended the creation of new tertiary institutions to focus on consolidating and strengthening existing ones for greater efficiency.
“We are prioritising quality over quantity. Adequate resources will be channelled to existing institutions to enhance their capacity and impact,” he said.
The President also reaffirmed his government’s resolve to maintain uninterrupted academic calendars across universities, noting that earned allowances and part of the withheld salaries of academic and non-teaching staff have been paid.
He added that the new loan scheme for tertiary institution staff is a genuine empowerment initiative, not a burden.
Tinubu also congratulated the 2025 graduating class, urging them to embrace innovation, resilience, and responsibility as they step into the world.
He commended the Chancellor, Alhaji Abdulmumini Usman, CFR, the Pro-Chancellor, Surveyor Abiodun Aluko, and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wahab Egbewole, SAN, for their leadership and contributions to national development.
