The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has described Baze University as one of Nigeria’s leading private universities with strong potential for further growth in the coming years.
He made the remarks at a surprise reception held in honour of the new Vice-Chancellor of Baze University, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, at the Vanilla Restaurant in Maitama, shortly after the institution’s Seventh Inaugural Lecture.
While commending the university for its steady growth, academic excellence and contribution to higher education in Nigeria, the Minister said the changing dynamics of the tertiary education sector now require private universities to be more innovative and forward-looking.
Dr Alausa noted that the ongoing stabilisation of public universities under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was reshaping the higher education landscape.
“Academic calendars are becoming more predictable, and industrial disputes are being addressed with greater urgency. The instability that once characterised public universities gave private institutions a competitive advantage, as parents and guardians sought certainty and uninterrupted academic programmes for their children. Universities such as Baze benefited from this reality,” he said.
He stressed that as public universities regain stability, private institutions must now compete on broader grounds beyond academic calendar reliability.
“The challenge before Professor Adeniyi and his team is not merely to sustain Baze University’s success but to reimagine and reinvent the institution for a new era. The future belongs to universities that are agile, innovative, globally connected and relentlessly committed to excellence,” he stated.
The Minister urged the new Vice-Chancellor to build on the foundation laid by the university’s founder, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, and previous administrators by strengthening academic quality, research capacity and international collaboration.
“You must ensure that Baze becomes known not only for graduating students on time, but also for producing graduates who are globally competitive, technologically proficient, entrepreneurial and capable of solving real societal problems. Parents today are looking beyond certificates. They are looking for value, employability, character, innovation and leadership,” he said.
Dr Alausa also encouraged the university to invest in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, renewable energy, biotechnology and the creative economy, noting that these areas will define the future of work and national development.
He further emphasised the importance of strong partnerships with industry and international stakeholders.
“The university of the future cannot operate in isolation. Collaboration with business, government and international partners will provide students with practical experience, expose academics to real-world challenges and drive impactful research. Baze must become a hub where knowledge meets innovation and ideas are transformed into solutions,” he said.
The Minister also called for greater investment in research and postgraduate education, noting that universities build lasting reputations through knowledge creation.
Turning to the Seventh Inaugural Lecture, Dr Alausa described it as a sign of the institution’s growing intellectual depth and academic maturity.
“Inaugural lectures occupy a special place in every great university. They allow distinguished scholars to present their life’s work and contribute to knowledge advancement. The fact that Baze University has hosted seven inaugural lectures shows it is building a strong intellectual tradition,” he said.
He congratulated the lecturer and urged universities to remain centres of critical thinking, evidence-based policy and public discourse.
Dr Alausa expressed confidence in the new Vice-Chancellor’s leadership, describing his appointment as a moment of promise for the institution.
“Professor Adeniyi brings intellectual depth, administrative experience and a clear understanding of the evolving role of universities in society. I am confident that under his leadership, Baze University will scale new heights and strengthen its position among Africa’s leading private universities,” he said.
He called on staff, students and stakeholders to support the new Vice-Chancellor, stressing that university development is a collective responsibility.
“With unity of purpose, commitment to excellence and a shared vision, Baze University can become a model institution for Nigeria and the African continent,” he added.
Dr Alausa congratulated Professor Adeniyi and commended Baze University for sustaining a culture of academic excellence, innovation and intellectual engagement.
