President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr Haja Ramatulai Wurie, have urged graduates of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) to translate their knowledge into innovation, job creation and service to humanity.
They gave the charge at the university’s 41st convocation ceremony in Ilorin, urging the graduates to uphold integrity, embrace lifelong learning and use their skills to address societal challenges.
Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmed, President Tinubu said graduation marked the beginning of greater responsibility, urging the students to see their certificates as tools for solving problems rather than merely securing employment.
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“In a world increasingly shaped by digital technology and artificial intelligence, I encourage you not only to seek employment, but also to create it. Become innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and problem solvers,” he said.
The President commended UNILORIN for its academic excellence, institutional discipline and research achievements, particularly in stroke treatment and artificial intelligence-powered electrocardiogram testing.
He said his administration was investing in education through initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the 3 Million Technical Talent Programme to expand access to education, strengthen research and develop digital skills.
According to him, NELFUND had disbursed more than ₦322 billion to over 1.6 million students nationwide as of August 2026, covering tuition and institutional fees as well as student upkeep allowances.
President Tinubu also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to dialogue with tertiary education unions and improved staff welfare, saying stable academic calendars and motivated staff were essential to quality education.
Peaceful Participation
With the 2027 general elections approaching, he urged young Nigerians to shun political violence, hate speech and fake news, calling for peaceful participation and issue-based engagement.
Similarly, Governor AbdulRazaq reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education as a driver of sustainable development and economic growth.
Represented by his deputy, Elder Kayode Alabi, the governor said the state’s investments extended beyond infrastructure to improving teaching quality, research and institutional capacity.
The governor also urged the graduates to use their knowledge to create opportunities and develop solutions to challenges facing Kwara State and Nigeria.
Delivering the convocation lecture titled “From Lecture Hall to Cabinet Room: The Journey from Academia to Public Leadership,” Wurie urged leaders to embrace purposeful, evidence-based leadership and build institutions that would outlast them.
The Sierra Leonean minister said universities should serve as national problem-solving institutions by advancing research, developing talent, supporting entrepreneurship and providing evidence for policymaking.
She called for stronger partnerships that build local capacity, and inclusive education systems that address barriers affecting women, girls and persons with disabilities.
Wurie also urged leaders to remain open to scrutiny, seek counsel and pursue continuous learning, outlining four principles: “Learn Deeply”, “Serve Sincerely”, “Stay Teachable” and “Raise the Bar”.
She charged the graduates to move from knowledge to service, from service to leadership and from leadership to impact.
