President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has solicited support from Nigerians for his government’s economic policies, despite the current difficulties, assuring that the policies will soon yield the desired positive results.
The President made the appeal in Zaria on Saturday while speaking at the 43rd Convocation ceremony of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where 25,432 students graduated with various degrees.
Represented by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, he said the policies may seem difficult, but the desired positive outcomes will soon happen.
“I would like to solicit understanding and support from Nigerians towards the government’s economic reform programs despite the difficulties involved. We are very much hopeful that these policies will yield the desired results in no distant future.”he said
Speaking on the role of universities in national development, President Tinubu said Ahmadu Bello University, among other Nigerian universities, has contributed immensely to research and development.
He emphasized the need for universities to partner with industries and entrepreneurs to commercialize their ideas.
He urged graduates to be both job creators and job seekers, emphasizing the limitless opportunities available to them.
According to the President, “Universities are known as citadels of research and innovation, providing the necessary ingredients for the development of societies. Ahmadu Bello University enjoys an enviable status in its contribution to research and innovation, especially in the areas of agriculture, medicine, engineering, among others.
“I, therefore, urge the university to publicize their researches and collaborate with industries and entrepreneurs for commercializing such ideas,” he said.
He said the higher education sector is witnessing tremendous growth, internalization, and impact from globalization. This is facilitated in part by partnerships, collaborations, and the use of information and communication technology.
The president said the initiative of the university in developing a regional and internationalization policy aimed at attracting international staff and students is a right step in the right direction.
According to him, the Federal Government is complementing these pragmatic efforts through its recent approval of transnational education in Nigeria.
In his remarks, ABU’s Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Kabiru Bala said, of the 25,432 graduating with various degrees, 647 bagged PbD, 5,167 Masters, 40 MPhil and 955 Post Graduate Diplomas.
He also disclosed that, out of 11,916 graduates with Bachelor degrees, 182 earned First Class degrees, 3,902 earned second class upper degrees, while 11,552 graduated with second class (lower division).
