First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has established a N50 million endowment fund at the Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, marking a major boost for teacher education in the country.
The endowment was unveiled during the formal transfer of the institution from the Ogun State Government to the Federal Government, an event that coincided with the university’s 17th convocation ceremony.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the takeover of the institution in March 2025, paving the way for its elevation to a federal university.
Represented at the ceremony by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, the First Lady also received the award of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) in Childhood Education in recognition of her contributions to education and child development.
Former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, was similarly honoured with a Doctor of Science (honoris causa) in Political Science.
As part of her intervention, Mrs. Tinubu endowed the Department of Childhood Education with N10 million annually for the best graduating female students over a 10-year period and pledged N1.5 million to the overall best graduating student of the university.
She reaffirmed her commitment to initiatives that promote education, children’s welfare and youth development, urging the graduands to remain worthy ambassadors of their institution and the country.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, who formally handed over the institution to the Federal Government, described the transition as historic, noting that it marked a defining moment in the annals of Ogun State and the university.
A total of 4,785 graduates from the 2024/2025 academic session were awarded degrees at the ceremony. Of this number, 40 graduated with First Class honours, 1,466 obtained Second Class Upper Division, 2,768 earned Second Class Lower Division, while 492 and 19 graduated with Third Class and Pass degrees respectively.
Nineteen-year-old Gbolahan Edward Awofala of the Department of Computer Science emerged as the overall best graduate with a CGPA of 4.92.
In recognition of his achievement, the Ogun State Government awarded him N2 million, while each of the 40 First Class graduates received N500,000.
The Memorandum of Understanding transferring TASFUED to the Federal Government was signed by Governor Abiodun and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed, in the presence of the university’s Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello; Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adekunle Adeogun; and the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu.
Governor Abiodun, who was also conferred with a Doctor of Science (honoris causa) in Education, acknowledged President Tinubu’s role as the new Visitor to the university, as well as the efforts of the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, in facilitating the successful transition.
He noted that the takeover would promote equity in the distribution of federal institutions, pointing out that Ogun East now has a federal university, alongside Ogun Central and Ogun West.
According to the governor, TASFUED was established to bridge gaps in teacher education by combining academic instruction with practical skills for self-reliance.
⸻
OAU Gets 50 CNG Buses, 30 Tricycles
In a related development, the First Lady donated 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and 30 tricycles to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, to ease transportation challenges faced by students and staff.
The buses and tricycles were inaugurated at the university’s sports arena in the presence of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; wife of the Osun State Governor, Mrs. Titilayo Adeleke; wife of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola; and other wives of governors.
Other dignitaries included the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; the Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole; and the Osun APC governorship candidate, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji.
OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simeon Bamire, described Senator Tinubu as one of the institution’s brightest alumni and commended her for the donation, saying it would significantly improve mobility on campus and enhance the quality of life of students and staff.
Similarly, President of the OAU Students’ Union, Oluwatodimu David, praised the First Lady for the intervention, noting that it would ease transportation challenges and complement ongoing campus beautification and infrastructure projects.