The Federal Government has officially adopted the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ijagun, Ogun State, as a federal university.
This decision, approved by President Bola Tinubu on Friday, marks a new chapter for the institution, which was established in 2005 by the Ogun State Government as Nigeria’s first specialized university of education.
Named after the renowned activist and educator, Dr. Tai Solarin, who founded the prestigious Mayflower School in Ikenne, TASUED has long been a beacon of academic excellence. Its adoption as a federal institution makes it the first federally owned tertiary school in the Ogun East senatorial district.
President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the Ogun State Government for offering the Federal Government the opportunity to take over the university, describing it as one of the state’s most valuable educational assets.
He highlighted the symbolic importance of the move, noting that it honors the legacies of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the architect of free education in Western Nigeria, and Dr. Tai Solarin, whose lifelong dedication to education and leadership development left an indelible mark on the nation.
The President also acknowledged the pivotal role played by the Awujale of Ijebuland in preventing the university’s closure in 2012, just seven years after its establishment. Both Awolowo and Solarin were celebrated figures from the Ijebu and Remo regions of Ogun State, further underscoring the significance of this decision.
President Tinubu emphasised that TASUED’s transition into a Federal University of Education aligns with the government’s broader strategy to enhance teacher training and improve the quality of education across all levels.
With this adoption, the Federal Government now oversees three specialized universities of education, including Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Owerri and Adeyemi Federal University of Education in Ondo.
The move is expected to require minimal federal investment, given TASUED’s well-developed infrastructure and robust academic programs. It represents a strategic step toward addressing the critical need for qualified educators in Nigeria and reaffirms the government’s commitment to advancing the nation’s educational sector.
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