The Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has officially announced the takeover of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ogun State, upgrading it to the status of a federal university. This historic transformation marks a significant step in advancing teacher education and academic excellence in the country.
The announcement was made on Sunday, March 9, by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. He emphasized that the decision reflects the government’s commitment to improving access to quality education and strengthening teacher training institutions nationwide.
Originally established by the Ogun State Government in 2005, TASUED has played a crucial role in producing well-trained educators and fostering innovation in the education sector. With this latest development, the university becomes the first-ever federal tertiary institution in the Ogun East Senatorial District, marking a milestone for higher education in the region.
President Tinubu extended his gratitude to the Ogun State Government for facilitating the transition of TASUED into a federal university. He emphasized that this move serves as a tribute to the enduring legacies of two iconic figures in Nigerian education—Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr. Tai Solarin.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a visionary leader who pioneered the free education policy in Western Nigeria, a movement that significantly transformed literacy levels in the region. Dr. Tai Solarin, on the other hand, was a renowned educationist and social reformer dedicated to nurturing young minds and instilling discipline, patriotism, and leadership values in students. Through this transition, the Federal Government aims to honor their contributions to education and national development.
“This is an opportunity for the Federal Government to pay tribute to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who spearheaded the revolutionary free education program in Western Nigeria, and Dr. Tai Solarin, a selfless educationist who devoted his life to educating and mentoring Nigerian youths at Mayflower School in Ikenne,” President Tinubu stated in his address.
The transition of TASUED into a federal university is expected to require minimal financial input from the Federal Government, as the institution already boasts well-established academic structures, qualified faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities. This strategic move aligns with the government’s broader agenda of enhancing the quality of teacher education, ensuring that educators receive world-class training to uplift the country’s education system.
Furthermore, this development brings TASUED into the exclusive category of federal universities of education in Nigeria. It now joins the ranks of the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Owerri and the Adeyemi Federal University of Education in Ondo, forming a trio of specialized institutions committed to improving the standard of teacher education in Nigeria.
“With this transformation, the Federal Government now has direct oversight of three universities of education: Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education (Owerri), and Adeyemi Federal University of Education (Ondo),” the official statement concluded.
The conversion of TASUED into a federal university is expected to enhance academic opportunities for students, boost research initiatives, and provide a more extensive support system for educators nationwide. Many education stakeholders have lauded this decision, expressing optimism about its potential to elevate Nigeria’s teacher training and learning outcomes.
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