The Ogun State Government has formally transferred ownership of the 21-year-old Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) to the Federal Government, marking a major shift in the institution’s history.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the transfer was signed by Governor Dapo Abiodun on behalf of the Ogun State Government and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmed, representing the Federal Government. The signing was witnessed by the university’s Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello; the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adekunle Adeogun; the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu; and other key stakeholders.
Speaking at the university’s 17th convocation ceremony, Governor Abiodun described the handover as a “historic transition.” He traced the institution’s roots to 1978, when it was established as the Ogun State College of Education to award the National Certificate in Education (NCE). In its early years, the college was affiliated with the University of Ibadan for its Bachelor of Education programmes and later with Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, for Bachelor of Technology degrees and the Postgraduate Diploma in Education.
According to the governor, the college eventually evolved into a specialised university to address gaps in teacher training in Nigeria, particularly in the quality and depth of preparation for foundational education.
He said the institution was designed to combine academic learning with vocational and entrepreneurial training, ensuring graduates are equipped with practical skills for self-reliance. Abiodun also noted that the university was envisioned as a national resource centre for Colleges and Institutes of Education, with a focus on improving teaching standards and learning outcomes nationwide.
The governor explained that TASUED adopted a collegiate system similar to the faculty structure in conventional universities. By the 2005/2006 academic session, following guidance from the National Universities Commission (NUC), the institution had expanded to four colleges, 18 departments, 38 academic programmes and about 3,800 students.
“Today, the university stands as a symbol of vision and academic excellence, with six colleges offering 63 undergraduate programmes, 46 master’s programmes and 42 doctoral programmes,” Abiodun said.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who received an award at the ceremony, said the honour would motivate her to continue supporting initiatives that promote education, especially for children and young people. Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, she urged graduating students to be worthy ambassadors of the university and the country.
Senator Tinubu was conferred with a doctoral degree by the Department of Childhood Education and also endowed the best graduating female student in the department with ₦50 million, to be disbursed over 10 years.
Earlier, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adekunle Adeogun, disclosed that a total of 4,717 students graduated at the 17th convocation. Of this number, 40 earned First Class honours, 1,466 graduated with Second Class Upper Division, 2,768 with Second Class Lower Division, 492 with Third Class, and 19 with Pass degrees. He added that 384 graduates completed postgraduate programmes.
Prof. Adeogun urged the graduates to represent the institution with pride, teach with passion and contribute meaningfully to society.
The overall best graduating student, Edward Awofala, who recorded a CGPA of 4.92, received ₦1.5 million from the First Lady and an additional ₦2 million from Governor Abiodun in recognition of his academic achievement.
