President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Ilorin announced the resolve of his administration to improve access and quality of the nation's educational system .

He said his administration would pursue this goal" as far as our resource capacity and capability can support."

Buhari in an address read on his behalf by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Engr. Babachir David Lawal at the 40th anniversary of the university of Ilorin, said that his administration will give considerable attention to technical and vocational education and training to provide skill manpower in applied sciences, engineering, technology and commerce to operate, maintain and sustain the nation's economic activities for rapid socio-economic development.

Buhari said that the decision of his government was in recognition of the fact that globalization of market, interdependence of international systems, expanding roles of technology and high skilled technical, vocational and managerial leaders are the keys drivers of any national economy.

"Nigeria is not different. In the area of knowledge based economy we cannot but key into this global trend by giving desired attention to the education sector", he stated.

Buhari who is the visitor to the University, added that "this will also help impact necessary skills and competencies leading to the production of artisans, technicians, technologists who will be enterprising and self-reliant, thus having the greatest potentials to generate employment and reduce poverty in our society.

"I must also emphasis, that the federal government alone cannot meet the need of higher education in Nigeria.

The private sector must be encouraged to invest in research and development in the universities. This means the universities must make themselves relevant to the private sector in order to attract funding.

"Therefore, the governing councils of the universities must begin to think outside the box in order to reposition their universities for global competitiveness. There is also the need for, enhanced corporate social responsibility on the part of the universities in order to remain relevant and peaceful in the communities where they exist".

While assuring Nigerians of the determination of his government to continue to support the upgrade of infrastructure, teaching materials and research equipment in the nation's universities, Buhari noted that "our economic growth potentials are good and promising and will continue to receive favourable, credible endorsement by the international community. However, the impact of the investment we make in the field of education and training on the lives of the ordinary citizens will determine how far we can go in achieving our national aspirations.

"The task of grooming youths for national development revolves on the universities. I therefore appeal to our teachers not to use our students as their laboratories for their doctrines or as cannon folder for their struggles in the society. The children under your care must not be used as agents for the destabilization of our society. Our universities must demonstrate high quality intellectual leadership that will engender political, economic and social progress so that together we might build a nation that will be the pride of all".

The president charged the Universities to key in to the evolving ethical revolution, noting that "without discipline, law and order no society can not make any meaningful progress".