Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, and the Namibian High Commissioner to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Humphrey Geiseb, have jointly emphasised the need for significant investment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education to address Nigeria’s challenges.

Speaking at the maiden lecture of Thomas Adewumi University (TAU), Oko-Irese, in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Governor Makinde highlighted that nations excelling globally have prioritised STEM education. He urged Nigeria to follow suit to remain competitive and address critical national issues.

This is just as the High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Humprey Geiseb, said Nigeria and Namibia have established a strong tie through educational exchange programs, urging the two countries to explore the advantages.

Makinde, represented by his Chief of Staff (COS), Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, asked the pioneer graduates of TAU, whom he said are graduates produced in the 21st century, to take the lead in providing technology-driven solutions to the country’s problems.

“You are the torchbearers of Thomas Adewumi University. Think big, dream of solutions to challenges, act locally and address challenges in your community,” he said.

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi, at the ceremony, corroborated the position of the convocation lecturer even as he praised the vision of the founder of the university.

“The theme of this convocation, Fostering a Globally Competitive and Self-Reliant Nation: The Impact of Innovative STEM Education,” could not be more timely. In an era where Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) shape global progress. It is important that we prepare not just a generation of innovators equipped to address our nation’s challenges and compete on the world stage, but also raise leaders who would lead with the right insights, empathy, and firmness that leadership requires,” Abdulrazaq said.

Founder and newly inaugurated chancellor of the university, Dr Johnson Adewumi, said the vision of establishing the university was “not only to produce graduates but mould leaders who will be problem solvers regardless of their disciplines.”.

He said TAU will continue to produce graduates who will not be job seekers but those who can drive national policy through innovative research and technologically driven solutions.

Adewumi praised the decision of the administration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State to name the General Hospital Omu-Aran as Thomas Adewumi University Teaching Hospital for the takeoff of the institution’s medicine programme, describing it as “historical.”

On his part, TAU pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council, Professor Victor Olanrewaju, urged Governor Abdulrahman, as the chairman of Nigeria’s governor’s forum (NGF), to prevail on the federal government to reconsider its stand on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) so that it can accommodate private universities as beneficiaries.

Vice-chancellor of the university, Professor Francisca Oladipo, said the 26 pioneer graduates of the university were thoroughly bred.