Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to develop a sustainable strategy for financing education in Nigeria. He made this appeal on Tuesday during the 70th birthday celebration of the Vice Chancellor of Bells University, Oludele Ojediran, held at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Obasanjo stressed the importance of empowering youths to become job creators and contributors to the nation’s economy.
“President Tinubu and the Federal Government must find a means to finance education for its sustainability. Governments at all levels must also empower the youths to become providers of job opportunities,” Obasanjo stated. He highlighted the need for a collaborative effort from all tiers of government to address challenges in the education sector while equipping young people with the tools needed to thrive.
The former president also commended LAUTECH for producing exceptional academics and administrators, citing Professors Adeyemi and Ojediran as exemplary individuals who have contributed significantly to Bells University. He reiterated his commitment to education for service rather than profit, emphasizing his dedication to sustaining Nigeria’s educational legacy and fostering leadership.
Additionally, the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, praised Obasanjo’s impactful contributions to education and agriculture in Nigeria. The monarch urged Professor Ojediran to use his expertise in agricultural engineering to support Ogbomoso’s development. Oba Olaoye further pledged to provide farmland to individuals interested in agricultural ventures, promoting economic growth in the region.