January 29, (THEWILL) — The Ogun State Government and the Federal Government have formally sealed the transfer of the Tai Solarin University of Education to federal ownership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
The ceremony took place on Thursday, January 29, 2026, during the institution’s 17th Convocation at the university campus in Ijagun.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Saidu Ahmad, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This agreement officially integrates the institution into the federal university system under its new name, the Tai Solarin Federal University of Education.
During the event, the university conferred an honorary Doctor of Science in Childhood Education on the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. She was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima.
Former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba received an honorary Doctor of Science in Political Science, while Governor Abiodun was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science in Education Management.
Minister Ahmad stated that the decision to adopt the institution into the federal system was a strategic move to strengthen teacher education in Nigeria. She noted that the transition aligns with the national priority of investing in human capital and ensuring institutional stability.
She also congratulated the graduating students and praised the university for its record of innovation and academic excellence over the past two years.
Governor Abiodun described the handover as a significant step toward achieving national equity in the distribution of federal tertiary institutions.
He noted that the state has officially released the university, along with all associated responsibilities, to the Federal Government.
He also highlighted that Ogun State has allocated 275.4 billion Naira to the education sector in its 2026 budget to further improve learning infrastructure and access across the state.
Representing the First Lady, Nana Shettima announced a 50 million Naira endowment fund to support the overall best graduating female student of the institution for the next ten years.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Rahamon Bello, and the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Adekunle Ajayi, both commended the smooth transition process and the Federal Government’s efforts to maintain stability within the university system.
Seun Shotunde, THEWILL
