Tinubu Lauds UNIBEN VC For Embracing FG's Template on Vocational Skills As Chancellor Advocates Inflation-linked Salaries for Academic Staff

Hendrix Oliomogbe 

President Bola Tinubu has lauded the University of Benin (UNIBEN) for keying into the Federal Government's priority programme of technical and Vocational education in tertiary institutions. 

President Tinubu who spoke weekend in Benin City, Edo State at the convocation ceremony of the school said the mainstreaming of Vocational literacy and  introduction of various technical training programmes in UNIBEN is a forward-looking initiative that aligned with his administration's programme designed to cultivate practical skills, enterprise and innovation. 

Represented by the Vice Chancellor,  University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Owunari Abraham Georgewill at the event which drew the creme of Nigerian society, the Visitor of the university particularly commended the Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie (SAN) for his bold initiatives.

The president added that the implementation of the Artisan Training Programme, in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), reflected the spirit of transformation, which is the education hallmark of his administration.

The Chancellor, Prof. James Ayatse advised the Federal Government to always adjust the salaries of academic staff in Nigerian universities in line with prevailing inflationary trends.

Prof. Ayatse, the Tor Tiv noted that such regular adjustments would nipped in the bud future industrial disputes in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

The chancellor said: "The remuneration of academic staff must reflect current economic realities. Linking salaries to inflation will help prevent avoidable industrial disputes and ensure stability in our academic calendar."

At the ceremony, where a total of 14,083 graduates received degrees and diplomas for the 2024/2025 academic session, the prominent traditional ruler urged the government to clear outstanding salary arrears and increase revitalisation funding across the nation’s public universities.

Prof. Ayatse, who expressed deep concern over the prevailing state of insecurity in the country, advocated for investments in indigenous aerospace technology as a strategic response to banditry and to restore safer road travel across the country.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, Prof Shaibu Umaru commended the Federal Government for reviving long-delayed projects, including the Senate Building conceptualised almost 40 years ago.

Prof. Umaru called on parents and students to take advantage of the national student loan scheme, insisting that global best practice showed that credit-backed education expands access and drives national productivity.

Prof. Omoregie disclosed that 198 of the graduands had first class honours, while 4,217 bagged Second Class Upper, 7,988 graduated with Second Class Lower and 570, Third Class.

The vice-chancellor said that the major infrastructural upgrades largely supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), included a N5 billion Senate Building, N4 billion high-impact medical training projects and a state-of-the-art simulation laboratory.

He also announced the receipts of N1 billion Agricultural Commercial Farm Fund, N400 million aquaculture and food technology fund and N1.3 billion library renovation fund among others.

Prof. Omoregie added that since he assumed office in December 2024, more than 5,000 trees had been planted to enhance environmental sustainability across the campuses.

He declared: “We are committed to building a university that matches global standards. Every project we pursue is anchored on this vision."