President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian youths, particularly young graduates, to explore opportunities in farming, vocational training, and information technology as pathways to self-reliance and national development.
Tinubu made this appeal on Saturday during the 36th convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), in Imo State.
Represented by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, Tinubu emphasized the diminishing availability of white-collar jobs and the need for graduates to diversify their skill sets.
“The period white-collar jobs were readily available has faded away,” he said.
“I urge you to harness the potential in agriculture, vocational skills, and information technology to add value to yourself and the nation.”
Highlighting the critical role of education in fostering economic growth, Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s educational sector.
He noted that federal universities have been empowered to conduct research aimed at addressing the nation’s pressing challenges.
“Education is a major fulcrum for national development; it is a catalyst for alleviating poverty and promoting economic growth and development,” he stated.
The president underscored education’s inclusion among his administration’s eight priority areas, alongside economy, security, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and health.
Tinubu also spotlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which provides financial assistance to students for fees and personal upkeep.
“A total of N33 billion was made available to start the programme, which commenced this year with six pilot universities from each of the geopolitical zones,” he revealed.
Commending the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, for its contributions to technological advancements, Tinubu disclosed that the federal government had made significant investments to enhance the institution’s infrastructure and facilities.
The convocation ceremony also featured the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on notable personalities, including First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, and his Borno State counterpart, Babagana Zulum.
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