The Federal Government has officially taken over the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ijagun, Ogun State, making it a federally owned institution. This decision marks a significant shift for the university, which was originally established by the Ogun State Government in 2005 as Nigeria’s first specialized university for teacher education.
TASUED was named after Dr. Tai Solarin, a well-known educationist and activist who founded the Mayflower School in Ikenne. With this new development, the institution becomes the first federally owned university in the Ogun East senatorial district. Due to its already well-established infrastructure and academic programs, the transition is expected to require minimal federal investment.
The announcement of the takeover was made by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, who stated that President Bola Tinubu approved the move on Friday. He also expressed gratitude to the Ogun State Government for allowing the Federal Government to take over one of the state’s most valuable educational institutions.
President Tinubu noted that the decision honors two prominent educationists, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr. Tai Solarin, both of whom played crucial roles in advancing education in Nigeria. He said, “It is an opportunity for the Federal Government to honor Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who began the revolutionary free education program 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.”
The President further noted that the move also recognizes the efforts of the Awujale of Ijebuland, who was instrumental in preventing the university’s closure in 2012, just seven years after its establishment.
With TASUED’s conversion into a Federal University of Education, the Federal Government now oversees seven institutions dedicated to teacher education. The others include Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Owerri, Adeyemi Federal University of Education in Ondo, and the Federal University of Education, Kano. Additionally, there are the Federal University of Education in Zaria, Pankshin (Plateau State), and Kontagora (Niger State).
