President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring a stable academic calendar, improved staff welfare, and uninterrupted power supply across Nigerian universities. He made this known at the 45th convocation ceremony of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, where he was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad.
Tinubu described education as central to his Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing that the growth and development of academic institutions depended largely on a stable academic calendar. “I reaffirm this Administration’s commitment to keeping our educational institutions open in accordance with their approved academic calendars and to avoiding disruptions in the nation’s educational system,” he said.
The President announced the introduction of a Staff Loan Scheme for academic and non-academic workers in tertiary institutions, aimed at reducing financial pressure and boosting productivity. A total of ₦40bn has been earmarked for the scheme, with individual loan amounts ranging from ₦1m to ₦10m.
Tinubu commended the ABU management for reducing electricity costs through effective energy conservation and urged the institution to develop a comprehensive energy policy to ensure sustainable power management. He revealed that under the Energising Education Programme, the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency, would provide 24-hour electricity supply to all federal tertiary institutions.
The President encouraged graduands to embrace entrepreneurship and self-development, commending the university’s Students Enterprise Competition organised by its International Centre of Excellence for Rural Finance and Entrepreneurship. He also urged students to take advantage of the Students’ Innovation Venture Capital Grant, which provides up to ₦50m in non-equity seed funding for innovative ventures with global potential.
Tinubu drew attention to the National Implementation Guidelines on Drug and Substance Use in Nigerian Institutions, warning that drug abuse undermined cognitive development, academic performance, and national security. He praised ABU for emerging overall winner of the 5th National Tertiary Admissions Performance–Merit Awards and receiving a ₦500m mega award from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
The Chairman of the Governing Board of Ahmadu Bello University, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, stressed the need for the university’s Senate and management to inculcate the virtues of honesty, discipline, humanity, and respect in students. Ahmed said ethical moulding was necessary to produce responsible, patriotic graduates.
