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 came via a press release on Sunday, signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. The transition aligns with the Federal Government’s broader strategy to enhance teacher education and improve instructional quality nationwide.
Established by the Ogun State Government in 2005, TASUED holds the distinction of being Nigeria’s first specialised university of education. President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the state government for allowing the Federal Government to take over one of its premier educational assets.
“It is an opportunity for the Federal Government to honour Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who pioneered the revolutionary free education programme in Western Nigeria, and Dr. Tai Solarin, who dedicated his life to educating Nigerian children and fostering patriotism and leadership at Mayflower School in Ikenne,” Tinubu stated.
The President also acknowledged the role of the Awujale of Ijebuland in preventing TASUED’s closure in 2012, just seven years after its establishment. With the university’s well-developed infrastructure and academic programmes, the transition requires minimal federal investment, making it a seamless integration into the national education system.
TASUED now joins Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Owerri and Adeyemi Federal University of Education in Ondo under federal oversight. The decision marks a major milestone in Ogun State’s educational landscape and underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening higher education while honouring regional icons.
