President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerian universities to provide evidence-based policy advice and develop innovative solutions.
The President made the call on Saturday 26, July 2026 at the 36th Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Niger State, where he was represented by a government official.
Tinubu urged tertiary institutions to move beyond their traditional roles of teaching and research, stressing that universities must become drivers of national development through practical, solution-oriented innovations.
He identified insecurity, food insecurity, climate change, and technological underdevelopment as some of the critical issues requiring urgent academic intervention.
The President noted that the country’s higher institutions possess the intellectual capacity to generate ideas capable of transforming Nigeria’s future.
According to the him, research carried out in Nigerian universities should not remain confined to academic journals and library shelves but should be translated into practical policies, commercial innovations, and technological advancements that directly improve the lives of citizens.
He also advocated stronger collaboration among universities, government agencies, and the private sector to ensure that research findings are effectively deployed to address national priorities and accelerate economic growth.
Tinubu further described the educational sector as one of Nigeria’s most strategic investments, pledging continued support for initiatives that promote research, innovation, and skills development.
The President congratulated the graduating students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, encouraging them to deploy the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies towards solving societal problems and contributing meaningfully to national development.
