Abiodun urges graduates to tackle Nigeria’s challenges, as TESCOM pushes accountability in schools

By Popoola Jamiu, Abeokuta

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has challenged Nigerian graduates to deploy the knowledge and skills acquired through their education to develop practical solutions to the country’s socio-economic challenges, while urging them to uphold integrity as they prepare to shape the nation’s future.

The governor gave the charge while delivering a lecture at the Postgraduate Convocation Ceremony of Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, where he was conferred with the university’s Award of Good Governance. He also announced cash rewards for the institution’s best graduating students.

Speaking on the theme, “Breaking New Grounds,” Abiodun described universities as institutions that go beyond imparting knowledge to shaping character, leadership and innovation for the advancement of society.

“Universities occupy a unique place in human civilisation. They do far more than transmit information; they sharpen minds, refine convictions, mould character, and prepare citizens capable of advancing society,” he said.

The governor described the graduating students as some of the brightest minds of their generation whose scholarship, innovation and leadership would influence the future of Nigeria, Africa and the global community.

He commended Babcock University for combining academic excellence with moral values, stressing that competence without character could become dangerous.

Highlighting his administration’s education reforms, Abiodun said the Ogun REHAB Initiative had transformed public schools across the state through the renovation of educational facilities and improved learning environments.

He added that over 6,000 teachers had been recruited under the OgunTeach Programme to improve the quality of teaching in public schools.

According to him, the government has also prioritised digital innovation, data-driven planning, teachers’ capacity building and strategic partnerships with institutions such as Babcock University to produce globally competitive graduates equipped for a knowledge-driven economy.

As part of his support for academic excellence, the governor announced cash prizes of ₦1.5 million for the overall best Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) graduate, ₦2 million for the best Master’s degree graduate, ₦2.5 million for the best PhD graduate and ₦2.5 million for the overall best undergraduate student.

In his welcome address, the President and Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University, Prof. Afolarin Olatunde Oyewole, said the institution had continued to contribute to national development through human capital development and support for its host communities.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening accountability and ethical standards in public secondary schools to safeguard the integrity of the state’s education system.

TESCOM Chairman, Apostle Biodun Sanyaolu, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abeokuta, noting that quality secondary education requires diligence, discipline and commitment from school administrators and teachers.

He said the commission’s whistle-blower policy and other accountability initiatives were designed to promote transparency, enforce professional ethics and encourage responsible conduct among principals, teachers and students.

“The Commission is committed to protecting our schools from misconduct in order to uphold the sanctity and dignity of the teaching profession,” Sanyaolu said.

He commended teachers across the state for their dedication during the 2025/2026 academic session and urged them to use the long vacation to reflect on ways to improve their professional performance and support the government’s education agenda.

The TESCOM chairman also assured stakeholders that the commission would continue to implement programmes and policies aimed at enhancing teachers’ professional development, promoting technology-driven learning and improving service delivery across public secondary schools.