The Federal Government has adopted the Tai Solarin University of Education in Ijagun, Ogun State as a federal university.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed this in a statement he signed on Sunday titled, ‘Federal Government adopts TASUED Ogun State as Federal University.’
Established by the Ogun State Government in 2005, TASUED is Nigeria’s first specialised university of education.
It was named after revered activist and the founder of Mayflower School in Ikenne, Dr Tai Solarin.
As a federal institution, TASUED will be the first federally owned tertiary school in Ogun East Senatorial District.
“With a well-developed infrastructure and academic programme, the transition requires minimal federal investment,” said the Presidency.
Tinubu approved the adoption on Friday and thanked the Ogun State Government for inviting the Federal Government to take over the school, one of the state’s best educational assets.
“It is an opportunity for the Federal Government to honour Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who began the revolutionary free education programme in Western Nigeria and Dr Tai Solarin, who spent most of his life educating our children and impacting patriotic and leadership lessons in them at Mayflower School in Ikenne,” the President said.
He added, “It is also in honour of the Awujale of Ijebuland, who played a critical role in preventing the university’s closure in 2012, just seven years after its establishment.”
Awolowo and Solarin were celebrated figures from the Eastern Senatorial District of Ogun State, encompassing Ijebu and Remo.
President Tinubu emphasised that TASUED’s transition into a Federal University of Education is a strategic step in the Federal Government’s commitment to bolster teacher education and enhance the quality of instruction across all educational levels.
With TASUED’s new status, the Federal Government oversees seven education universities.
They are Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Owerri, Adeyemi Federal University of Education in Ondo and Federal University of Education, Kano.
Others are the Federal University of Education, Zaria; the Federal University of Education, Pankshin Plateau State and the Federal University of Education, Kontagora, Niger State.
The teaching hospital was initially a medical centre before being upgraded into a Federal Teaching Hospital.
According to Onanuga, the Kumo Federal Medical Centre will serve as a tertiary health hospital, contribute to the training of medical personnel, and boost health care service in Gombe State and the Northeast generally.
He said, “Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya formally requested the takeover of the facility. President Tinubu approved the request, given the poor maternal and neonatal mortality indices in the Northeastern region and other health indicators in Gombe State.”
The Federal Government also considered the state government’s commitment to improving its health sector, which aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which has unveiled comprehensive reforms in the health sector.
Tinubu commended Governor Yahaya for prioritising the welfare of the state’s citizens and stressed that the takeover would improve the state’s healthcare delivery system.