Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has justified the state’s decision to hand over Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, to the Federal Government, saying the move was aimed at ensuring fairness in the distribution of federal institutions across the state and improving educational development.
Speaking with journalists in Abeokuta on Wednesday, Abiodun explained that TASUED’s conversion into a federal university would not only enhance its funding but also make it a model for academic excellence in the country.
“When I assumed office, I made a promise to be fair, just, and equitable in governance. But when we analyzed the spread of federal institutions in Ogun, it was clear that Ogun East needed a federal tertiary institution to complement existing ones in other senatorial districts,” the governor said.
Abiodun noted that instead of lobbying for a new university from scratch, which might not be feasible due to the federal government’s limited resources, his administration saw an opportunity in TASUED’s strong foundation and academic reputation.
“We carefully assessed our options and decided to present TASUED to Mr. President for takeover. It was a deliberate and well-thought-out decision, not an accident. The university is already well-established and named after Dr. Tai Solarin, a foremost educationist whose impact on Nigeria’s educational development remains remarkable,” Abiodun stated.
The governor revealed that the proposal was submitted in July 2024 through the Minister of Education, who conducted due diligence before forwarding it to President Bola Tinubu for approval.
“Mr. President, in his magnanimity, accepted our request, and we are grateful for his support in making this institution a federal university. This move is beyond local interests; it is about national development and ensuring that TASUED serves the educational needs of not just Ogun State but the entire country,” he added.
Reaffirming the institution’s quality, Abiodun assured the federal government that it was inheriting a standard and first-class university that his administration had continued to develop since 2019.
“I can confidently say that what the Federal Government has adopted is one of the best universities in this country. We have supported and strengthened TASUED to maintain its pride of place among Nigeria’s higher institutions,” he noted.
The governor paid tribute to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the pioneer of free education in Western Nigeria, acknowledging his role in making education accessible. He also celebrated Dr. Tai Solarin, describing him as a national icon from Ogun East whose contributions to Nigeria’s educational sector made the institution a befitting legacy.
Also speaking, the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, emphasized the benefits of the federal takeover, noting that it would provide the university with increased funding, infrastructure, and human resources.
“The takeover will give TASUED greater access to funds, better facilities, and more academic manpower. With increased Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) allocations yearly, the institution will have more resources for research, development, and overall academic excellence,” Arigbabu said.
The commissioner advised the university’s management to focus on its core mandate of advancing education and research, noting that it was now positioned to become a national reference point for policy development in teacher education.
“TASUED should take advantage of this transformation to become a center of excellence that provides solutions to Nigeria’s educational challenges. The whole country will now look up to it for leadership in education policy and teacher training,” he added.
