There was a resounding ovation at Igbinedion University, Okada, on Friday as the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, delivered a compelling pre-convocation lecture linking education to national prosperity and praising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for prioritizing poverty reduction through functional education and skills acquisition.
Speaking at the Conference Hall of the Library Complex on the university’s main campus, Dr. Sununu described education as the “cornerstone of national development,” noting that Nigeria cannot attain meaningful economic transformation without investing in the knowledge and skills of its people.
He commended Igbinedion University, established in 1999 by business mogul and philanthropist Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom for its pioneering role as the country’s premier private university and for sustaining academic excellence for over two decades. He praised the institution for nurturing innovators, entrepreneurs, and professionals who continue to contribute to national growth.
The Minister, who delivered the lecture titled “The Connection Between Education and National Prosperity in Nigeria’s Transformative Economy,” highlighted the stark challenges confronting the country’s education system, including low literacy levels, high out-of-school rates, insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, and gender disparities, particularly in the northern parts of the country.
Sununu observed that nearly 65% of the northern population lives in multidimensional poverty, compared to 35% in the south, while literacy levels in some northern states remain as low as 7%. He stressed that reducing poverty is impossible without strategic investments in functional education.
He, however, expressed optimism, noting that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is already addressing these gaps through aggressive reforms aimed at strengthening human capital development.
He cited key policies such as:
Expansion of technical and vocational education and the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
Public-private partnerships to equip young Nigerians with employable skills. Establishment of digital resource centres and smart schools by UBEC.
Scholarships and initiatives targeting STEM and soft-skills development.
The Safe School Initiative to protect learning environments across vulnerable regions.
“These interventions are designed to ensure that no Nigerian child is left behind,” he said, adding that education remains the most powerful tool in reducing poverty, enhancing productivity, and driving entrepreneurship.
Sununu urged universities to strengthen practical learning through projects, internships, and digital training to prepare graduates for a rapidly changing economy driven by technology and innovation. He praised Igbinedion University for championing this model and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in its students.
The Minister charged the graduating students to be worthy ambassadors of the institution and to embrace their role as catalysts for national transformation. “You have been equipped with the knowledge, character, and resilience to become change agents. Support the government, honour the sacrifices of your parents, and contribute your quota to building the Nigeria we all desire,” he told the graduands.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Sununu reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to a prosperous, equitable Nigeria and emphasized that with sustained investment in education, the nation can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with global leaders such as Canada, Singapore, and Switzerland.The event ended with a standing ovation, reflecting the audience’s appreciation for the insights delivered and the university’s pride in hosting a national discourse of profound significance.