President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has committed to implementing a policy that grants full autonomy to universities, emphasizing its potential to enhance the quality of higher education. This declaration came during the University of Benin’s 48th convocation, with the representation of President Tinubu by Engr. Abubakar Momoh, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
President Tinubu firmly believes that university autonomy will shift the responsibility for performance directly to individual institutions. He is confident that this step will yield positive outcomes in the education sector. This commitment to revamp tertiary institutions aligns with the broader strategy of the administration to raise the standard of higher education, enabling these institutions to compete on a global scale.
In response to this announcement, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State pledged automatic employment in the state’s civil and public service for first-class graduates from the University of Benin who are natives of Edo.
However, Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, Tor Tiv V, the chancellor, highlighted the challenges facing the institution. These encompass inadequate funding, limited research opportunities, a shortage of academic staff, insufficient infrastructure, and instances of corruption. Despite these obstacles, the administration remains resolute in its commitment to address them and drive positive transformations in higher education.