Education Central to Renewed Hope Agenda—Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed that education remains a cornerstone of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that sustained investment and wide-ranging reforms are central to transforming Nigeria’s education sector.

According to the President, this commitment is reflected in the Federal Government’s allocation of ₦3.5 trillion to education in the 2025 national budget. The figure represents 7.3 per cent of total budgetary spending and marks an increase over the previous year’s allocation. While acknowledging that the funding level still falls short of global benchmarks due to competing national demands, Tinubu said the government remains firmly committed to continuous improvement.

The President made the remarks on Saturday at the combined 35th and 36th convocation ceremony of the University of Jos, during which about 145 graduands earned First Class honours.

Reports indicate that the convocation, which also marked the institution’s 50th anniversary, produced a total of about 60,000 graduates. This included 9,236 diploma holders, 37,741 first-degree recipients and 13,023 postgraduate graduands.

Represented by the Vice-Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Professor Ibrahim Garba Hassan, President Tinubu urged the graduates to channel their knowledge and skills toward national development.

“Having completed the rigorous process of learning and earned your degrees, it is expected that you will apply the knowledge and experience gained not only for personal growth but also for the advancement of our great nation,” he said.

Reflecting on the University of Jos’ 50-year journey, the President noted that the institution has grown from a modest campus of the University of Ibadan into a major academic force with 17 faculties as of 2025. He praised its ranking as ninth in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings and encouraged the university to aim even higher.

The Chancellor of the University of Jos and Emir of Zazzau, His Highness Mallam Ahmed Bamalli, expressed delight at the university’s remarkable transformation, noting that it now boasts 17 faculties and 93 academic programmes with increasing international recognition. He urged students to remain disciplined and committed, stressing that education remains the foundation of national progress.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, said the institution has evolved over five decades into a globally respected centre for learning, research and innovation.

“Our accomplishments span world-class research in medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, arts and humanities, law, natural sciences, engineering, security studies, artificial intelligence and ICT,” he said, adding that the university’s alumni have distinguished themselves as leaders, professionals and innovators across the globe.

A major highlight of the ceremony was the conferment of honorary degrees on individuals recognised for outstanding contributions to national development and humanity. Among the awardees were Rev. Canon Sekcan Miner, who received a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa), and Professor Phyllis Kanki, honoured with a Doctor of Science (honoris causa).