FG converts TASUED to Federal University
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Federal Government has adopted the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ijagun, Ogun State, as a federal university.
A statement on Sunday, by President Bola Tinubu Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the president approved the transition on Friday, thanking the Ogun State Government for inviting the Federal Government to take over the university.
TASUED, established in 2005 by the Ogun State Government, is Nigeria’s first specialised university of education.
As a federal institution, it will be the first federally owned tertiary school in the Ogun East senatorial district.
The transition is expected to require minimal federal investment due to the university’s well-developed infrastructure and academic programs.
Tinubu stated that the conversion honours Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who initiated the free education program in Western Nigeria, and Dr Tai Solarin, who dedicated his life to educating children at Mayflower School in Ikenne.
He also acknowledged the Awujale of Ijebuland’s role in preventing the university’s closure in 2012.
However, the statement noted that Awolowo and Solarin were celebrated figures from the Eastern Senatorial District of Ogun State, encompassing Ijebu and Remo.
Tinubu was quoted saying, “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.
“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.”
Tinubu further underscored that TASUED’s transition is a strategic step in the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthen teacher education and enhance instructional quality.
With this new status, the Federal Government now oversees seven universities of education, including Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Owerri, Adeyemi Federal University of Education in Ondo, Federal University of Education, Kano, Federal University of Education, Zaria; the Federal University of Education, Pankshin Plateau State and the Federal University of Education, Kontagora, Niger State
