The Federal Government has inaugurated principal officers for two newly established tertiary institutions and the leadership of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), in a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s higher education system.
The ceremony was conducted by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, at the conference room of the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja.
The newly inaugurated officers will lead the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe in Epe, Lagos State, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal Polytechnic, Abuja, and the NCCE.
Speaking at the ceremony, Alausa congratulated the appointees, noting that their appointments were based on merit, competence and integrity.
“Your appointments are based on competence, integrity and proven dedication to national service,” the minister said.
He described the inauguration as a key milestone in the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms to strengthen institutional leadership and expand access to tertiary education.
According to him, the establishment of the new institutions is part of a strategic effort to address emerging global and national challenges such as food security, public health, climate change, renewable energy and technological innovation.
“The inauguration represents an important milestone in the Federal Government’s reforms aimed at strengthening institutional leadership and expanding access to higher education in disciplines critical to national development and global competitiveness,” Alausa said.
The minister explained that the locations of the new institutions in Epe and Abuja were deliberately chosen because of their economic potential and strong human capital base, positioning them as hubs for innovation, research and regional development.
He added that the institutions are expected to emerge as centres of excellence in areas including technological innovation, renewable energy, climate change adaptation and disaster risk management.
Addressing the leadership of the NCCE, Alausa stressed the importance of teacher education in national development, noting that the quality of teachers ultimately determines the quality of students produced.
“The quality of teachers ultimately determines the quality of students produced and the broader trajectory of national growth,” he said.
The minister urged the Commission to strengthen governance in colleges of education, promote merit-based leadership and uphold high academic standards across the teacher training system.
Alausa also encouraged the pioneer leaders of the new institutions to focus on faculty development, research culture, student welfare, strategic partnerships and community engagement.
He commended the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel, for supporting key reforms under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Permanent Secretary described the inauguration as a major step toward expanding equitable access to quality education and strengthening institutions critical to Nigeria’s technological advancement and sustainable development.
Responding on behalf of the university’s principal officers, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe, Oshikoya Kazeem Adeola, thanked the Federal Government for the confidence placed in them.
“We appreciate the Federal Government and the Ministry of Education for the confidence reposed in us,” Adeola said, assuring that the institution would work to build a strong academic foundation aligned with national education goals.
Similarly, the Rector of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal Polytechnic, Abuja, Onibon Nosiru, pledged the institution’s commitment to building strong governance structures and working closely with stakeholders to ensure the success of the polytechnic.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the NCCE, Angela Ajala, said she was honoured by the responsibility of leading teacher development in Nigeria and promised to strengthen standards across colleges of education.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Acting Director of the University Education Department of the ministry, Wale Kareem, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his continued commitment to strengthening tertiary education in the country.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to improving institutional governance and advancing policies that will enhance the quality and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
