The Federal Government has urged tertiary institutions to prioritize Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses to ensure rapid development of the country.
President Bola Tinubu who was represented by the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Zaphaniah Jisalo, made this known over the weekend at the 6th and 7th Convocation ceremony of Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State. This was contained in a statement signed by Anastasia Ogbonna, Head, Press and PR.
While reiterating that education is the focal point of the renewed hope agenda, “prioritizing STEM courses by offering scholarships, internships, graduate school admissions and employment opportunities to high-achieving STEM students”, remains non-negotiable, the President said
“We live in a rapidly changing world which requires our constant commitment to pursue Innovations, knowledge and skills in our institutions in order to be relevant and to make our society a better place”, the President added.
Furthermore, the President commended the university administration for the addition of Engineering and Nursing programmes which brings the total number of courses to 53, saying: ” education is the bedrock of societal development. It is the key to unlocking the vast potential of our youth population, and the cornerstone on which we shall build a prosperous future for Nigeria “.
Also Speaking, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, said the University will be graduating a total number of 2,738 students, cutting across various fields of endeavours at the 6th and 7th Convocation ceremony.
He further informed that the university has made tremendous strides in the sphere of academics, as it has “made the elite list of the maiden Times Higher Education 2023 Sub Sahara Africa (Webo-metric ranking) universities ranking, falling within the 51st – 60th bracket out of the 120 Sub Saharan Universities that were ranked, using the criteria of Resources and Finance, Access and Fairness, Teaching Skills, Students Engagement and Africa Impact”.
Also, it occupies the 17th position of 51 Nigerian Universities ranked and 9th position amongst Federal Universities as released on 26th June, 2023 by the Chairman, Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC) headed by Prof. Peter Okebukola.
Reacting to issues of paucity of funds and infrastructural deficits, the VC said: “In spite of the daunting challenges encountered due to limited resources that have adversely affected the provision of more facilities in the university, the Management of the University remains committed in its resolve to move the Federal University Lokoja to a higher level academically and administratively”, he said.
Earlier, the Chancellor, the Emir of Fika and Chairman, Yobe State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, His Royal Highness, Muhammadu Abali, called on the graduands to explore entrepreneurial fields as white-collar jobs are limited, saying: ‘That is why your training has been both diverse and versatile to prepare you for your next bold steps”.
The highlight of the occasion was the he commissioning of some projects by the Minister on behalf of the President .
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