NAUS commends Tinubu over signing of bill establishing Federal University of Technology, Ilaro into law

The National Association of University Students (NAUS) has welcomed the official pronouncement by Senate President Godswill Akpabio that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has signed into law the bill upgrading the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro to the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro. In a statement, Comrade Meshach Anthony Nwankwo, the Deputy National President (National and Campus Affairs) […]

The National Association of University Students (NAUS) has welcomed the official pronouncement by Senate President Godswill Akpabio that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has signed into law the bill upgrading the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro to the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro.

In a statement, Comrade Meshach Anthony Nwankwo, the Deputy National President (National and Campus Affairs) of NAUS said the historic legislation is not only a victory for Ogun West, but a profound testament to the transformative potential of visionary governance and purposeful leadership in education.

The statement said: “We extend our profound gratitude to President Tinubu for this landmark endorsement of educational advancement. In signing this bill into law, Mr. President has reaffirmed his recognition of education as the cornerstone of national progress. Under his leadership, the Nigerian university system has experienced an unprecedented stretch of academic stability — a welcome departure from years of disruption. This singular act of institutional elevation represents a forward-thinking intervention in our national effort to modernize and democratize access to tertiary education across geopolitical lines.

“No reflection on this historic stride would be complete without offering soaring accolades to a distinguished legislator whose name will forever be etched in the educational annals of Ogun West — Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, fondly known as Yayi.

“Senator Yayi is not merely a political actor; he is a visionary, a strategic thinker, and a generational voice for educational justice. Through a blend of relentless advocacy, legislative skill, and an unshakeable belief in the power of human capital, he has delivered not just an institution, but a legacy. His role in securing the first public university for Ogun West marks him as a transformative figure — one who has translated regional aspiration into national policy. This is more than legislative success; it is a seismic shift in the educational destiny of Yewaland.

“This triumph is not only a win for Ogun West — it is a win for Ogun State. We extend our congratulations to the Executive Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, whose administration has consistently demonstrated support for educational growth and human capital development. The synergy between state and federal efforts must now deepen to ensure the newly upgraded university is not only operational but exemplary.

“We also heartily congratulate the traditional rulers of Yewa for their enduring support, guidance, and advocacy. Our special recognition goes to His Royal Majesty, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, whose wise counsel and steadfast leadership have served as a stabilizing force and a moral compass in the region’s developmental pursuits. The custodians of our culture remain indispensable partners in the quest for knowledge and societal transformation.

“To the resilient people of Yewa and Ogun West at large, this moment is yours. After decades of yearning and perseverance, your dreams now have structure, faculty, and a future. The gates of a university have opened, but more importantly, the gates of opportunity, dignity, and progress have been flung wide open.

“Yet, even as we celebrate this pivotal achievement, NAUS must raise a clarion call for deeper and more comprehensive reform. It is not enough to create new institutions; we must sustain and modernize the ones we already have. We solemnly charge the federal government to ensure that Nigeria’s existing public universities are not left in the shadows. Many continue to suffer from infrastructural rot, outdated academic frameworks, insufficient funding, and low staff morale.

“We cannot afford to take four steps forward, only to retreat two steps backward. If Nigeria is to build a globally competitive knowledge economy, then all our institutions must be elevated to meet 21st-century global standards in research, teaching, infrastructure, and innovation.

“We further urge the government to honour, in full and without delay, all existing agreements with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other education stakeholders. Quality education can only be achieved through stability, trust, and shared responsibility between all parties involved.

“Education is not a sector to be managed — it is a foundation to be fortified. In an era driven by knowledge, innovation, and rapid technological evolution, Nigeria must invest in its youth as a matter of national survival. The classroom is our most strategic battlefield, and the minds we develop today will define the nation’s strength tomorrow.

“As we celebrate the establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro, let it stand as both a monument to vision fulfilled and a symbol of what remains to be done. The journey ahead demands courage, investment, and an unwavering commitment to equity and excellence.

“The National Association of University Students (NAUS) remains ever committed to representing the interests of Nigerian students globally. We will continue to be a voice of reason, resistance, and reform in the pursuit of an education system that empowers, transforms, and uplifts our nation’s brightest hopes.”