By FUNMILAYO ADEYEMI

The Federal Government on Thursday formally inaugurated the Governing Councils and Principal Officers of four newly established federal universities, reaffirming its commitment to expanding access to quality higher education in Nigeria.

The universities include: Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, Oyo State, and Federal University of Health Sciences and Technology, Tsafe, Zamfara State.

Others are Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano, and Federal University of Education, Zaria, Kaduna State.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the establishment of the universities as a strategic intervention by the Tinubu administration.

He said the move was aimed at addressing pressing national challenges such as food security, public health, climate change, renewable energy, and technological innovation.

“This is not just an expansion of Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape.

“It is a deliberate, strategic response to the urgent and interconnected challenges confronting our nation and the world,” Alausa said.

He noted the deliberate siting of the universities: Okeho, located in Nigeria’s agriculturally rich South-West, was chosen for its vast agricultural potential.

“Tsafe, in the North-West, lies in a region with abundant natural and human resources but in need of strengthened health and educational infrastructure to unlock its full potential.”

The minister urged the newly inaugurated councils and principal officers to provide visionary leadership, uphold merit and accountability, and protect university autonomy.

He charged Vice-Chancellors to lay strong institutional foundations that would define their universities’ identities and excellence for generations to come.

Alausa also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment, in partnership with TETFund and development agencies, to provide infrastructure, support research, and strengthen institutional capacity through reforms in quality assurance, autonomy, and performance-based funding.

“We want universities that are not just established but empowered to lead,” he said.

He called on staff, students, regulators, and host communities to embrace a shared vision of excellence and work together to build institutions that reflected national pride.

In his remarks, Sen. Yakubu Oseni, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, pledged to work with all stakeholders to transform the institution.

He said the goal was to make it a hub for agricultural innovation, research, and technological advancement.

He thanked President Tinubu for the appointment and assured that the Council’s work would align with the administration’s vision to strengthen Nigeria’s education system. (NAN)