Ogun Formally Releases TASFUED To FG In Historic Transition

By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta

Ogun State Government has officially released the 21 – year – old Tai Solarin Federal University of Education(TASFUED) to the Federal Government(FG) to manage and run as its (FG) full – fledged property going forward.

The Daily Crucible reports that the Federal Government adopted Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Ijagun, Ogun State as a Federal University following request by the state.

And President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in March 2025 approved the adoption through a statement at the time by the Presidency quoting President Tinubu as saying: “It is an opportunity for the Federal Government to honour Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who began the revolutionary free education programme in Western Nigeria and Dr Tai Solarin, who spent most of his life educating our children and impacting patriotic and leadership lessons in them at Mayflower School in Ikenne.”

However, Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the official hand over on Thursday, January 29, 2026 during the 17th convocation ceremony of the hitherto state – owned premier education university in the country, describing it as a “historic transition” and an epochal event in the annals of both the state and TASFUED.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) transferring TASUED from the state to the FG was signed by Governor Dapo Abiodun on behalf of the state government and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed signed on behalf of the FG while the session was witnessed by the University Pro Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello, Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Adekunle Adeogun and the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu.

Abiodun who was decorated with the award of Doctor of Science (honotis causa) in Education at the occasion by the institution, acknowledged the vital role played by the new Visitor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards adopting the TASFUED by the FG, even as he commended the Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa for “indeed working very hard and facilitating it” to a successful end.

He said the adoption and subsequent transfer helped in balancing and equity, stressing that Ogun East has now gotten a federal university – as was the case in the Ogun Central or Ogun West.

He said the university was established to address gaps in pedagogy identified in conventional universities, particularly in teacher education, emphasizing that the institution focuses on academic education alongside practical skills for self-reliance.

According to him, TASFUED has grown from about 3,800 students and four colleges to six colleges today, stressing that expansion reflects depth, intellectual ambition, and a clear affirmation of quality, discipline, and institutional integrity.

The Governor also noted that the university was advancing with purpose and shaping minds that would define the nation’s future; urging the young graduates

to “go forth as ambassadors of knowledge, as ambassadors with service to humanity.”

Also,  First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Hajia Hana Shettima, wife of Vice President Kassim Shettima, was decorated with the award of Doctor of Science(honoris causa) in Childhood Education).

In her remarks at the event where former governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba was also bestowed with the award of Doctor of Science in Political Science(honoris causa), Senator Tinubu  endowed the TASFUED’s Department of Childhood Education with N10m for the best graduating female students and which will run for a period of 10 years.

She vowed to continue encouraging any noble cause that promotes education, children and Nigerian youth and gifted the overall best graduate the sum of N1. 5million.

The First Lady also urged the graduates at 17th convocation to be “worthy ambassadors” of their great alma mater and Nigeria.