President Bola Tinubu has approved the conversion of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ijagun, Ogun State, into a federal university, making it the first federally owned tertiary institution in the Ogun East senatorial district.
The announcement was made in a press release on Sunday, signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Established by the Ogun State Government in 2005, TASUED is Nigeria’s first specialised university of education. Tinubu expressed gratitude to the state government for inviting the Federal Government to take over one of its top educational assets, emphasizing that the move upholds the legacies of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr Tai Solarin.
“It is an opportunity for the Federal Government to honour Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who began the revolutionary free education programme in Western Nigeria, and Dr Tai Solarin, who spent most of his life educating our children and instilling patriotic and leadership lessons in them at Mayflower School in Ikenne,” Tinubu stated.
He also acknowledged the role of the Awujale of Ijebuland in preventing the university’s closure in 2012, just seven years after its establishment.
The transition, which requires minimal federal investment due to TASUED’s well-developed infrastructure and academic programmes, aligns with the government’s strategy to strengthen teacher education and enhance instructional quality nationwide.
“With this adoption, the Federal Government now oversees three universities of education: TASUED, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Owerri, and Adeyemi Federal University of Education in Ondo,” the statement added.
The decision marks a significant milestone in Ogun State’s educational landscape, reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing higher education and preserving the legacies of regional icons, the release concluded.
