The Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ijagun, Ogun State, has officially become a federal institution following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ogun State Government and the Federal Government during the university’s 17th convocation ceremony.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Minister of State for Education, Dr Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad, who represented President Bola Tinubu, appended their signatures to the document at the event held on the university campus. The institution is now renamed Tai Solarin Federal University of Education.
The Federal Government had announced its decision to assume ownership of the university in March 2025, a move the minister described as deliberate and rooted in national interest. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Ahmad emphasised that no country can develop beyond the capacity of its teachers.
“The signing of this MoU formally confirms the transition of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education into the federal university system, underscoring our shared commitment to institutional stability, staff welfare, students’ interest, and sustainable growth,” she said.
She added that the takeover aligns with the education reform priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to strengthen institutions, invest in human capital, and ensure fairness in the sector.
Governor Abiodun described the handover as a milestone in promoting equitable distribution of federal tertiary institutions across Nigeria. He noted that the development honours the legacies of prominent figures who advanced education in the South-West, including the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late Governor Bisi Onabanjo, and the late Awujale of Ijebuland.
“This occasion formally marks the release and handover of the erstwhile Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, to its new owners, the Federal Government of Nigeria. Henceforth, it shall be known as the Tai Solarin Federal University of Education,” Abiodun declared.
He further stated that Ogun State had allocated ₦275.4 billion to education in its 2026 budget to widen access, reduce disparities, and ensure inclusive learning opportunities for all children regardless of background.
Established in 2005 by the Ogun State Government under Governor Gbenga Daniel, TASUED was Nigeria’s first dedicated university of education. It evolved from the Tai Solarin College of Education, which had been upgraded from the former Ogun State College of Education. Named after the renowned educator and social activist Dr Tai Solarin, the institution was created to address teacher shortages and improve the quality of teacher training in the country. Over the years, it has maintained full accreditation for all its programmes and built a reputation for producing skilled educators.
The convocation also featured the conferment of honorary degrees. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the President, received a Doctor of Science in Childhood Education (Honoris Causa). Former Ogun State Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba was awarded a Doctor of Science in Political Science, while Governor Abiodun received a Doctor of Science in Education Management.
Represented by Hajiya Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President, Senator Tinubu thanked the university and announced a ₦50 million endowment fund to support the overall best graduating female student in future convocations. She reiterated the administration’s commitment to sustained investment in education as a pillar of national development.
Gbolahan Awofala, a Computer Science graduate with a CGPA of 4.92, emerged as the best graduating student and received ₦2 million from the Ogun State Government and an additional ₦1.5 million from the First Lady.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adekunle Ajayi, commended both governments for a seamless transition and highlighted the university’s consistent academic standards. He disclosed that 4,717 undergraduates and 384 postgraduate students graduated in the ceremony, with 40 earning First Class honours.
The Pro-Chancellor, Prof Rahamon Bello, praised recent federal efforts to resolve lingering disputes with university staff unions, describing them as steps toward industrial harmony in the sector.
The transition places the institution under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education and integrates it fully into the national university system, ensuring continued funding and alignment with broader federal education policies.
