BY VICTOR BUORO – Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has defended President Bola Tinubu against critics blaming his administration for Nigeria’s escalating security woes, asserting that challenges predate the current administration.
Speaking at the 16th convocation ceremony of Achievers University in Owo, Ondo State, where he serves as Chancellor, Dogara maintained that violent crimes like terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping were deeply entrenched in the country long before Tinubu took office in May 2023.
Dogara said deep-rooted issues like insurgency and banditry did not originate in 2023, attributing the ongoing violence to long-standing systemic factors, including porous borders, illegal arms proliferation, unemployment, and the spread of extremist ideologies.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, he said President Tinubu views security as a core duty and encouraged the graduating class to apply their skills toward addressing these national challenges.
“Insecurity in Nigeria did not begin with this administration. This is no excuse, because the facts need no defence. Terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence did not arrive in 2023,” he said.
Dogara, who stated that the challenges had developed over several years, however, noted that Tinubu had consistently identified national security as a major responsibility of his administration and efforts are being geared towards addressing unfortunate development.
However, while congratulating the graduands, the former Speaker maintained that the country needs their talents, creativity and innovation to reposition it for sustainable development and growth across all productive sectors of the economy
Addressing the audience, the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Professor Bode Ayorinde, said Nigeria had made significant progress in expanding access to tertiary education but expressed concern about the prospects of graduates after leaving school.
Ayorinde cited figures from the National Universities Commission, which put the number of universities in the country at 312 as of June 2026, comprising 77 federal, 67 state-owned and 168 private institutions.
Highlighting the immense sacrifices made by parents, governments, and educators, the Pro-Chancellor said while universities successfully invest in developing human capital, a troubling question remains: where are the jobs and opportunities for these professionals after graduation?
Delivering his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Omolola Irinoye, reflected on the university’s enduring legacy, noting that since its inception, the institution has remained steadfastly committed to cultivating a sanctuary of learning.
He described it as a place where intellectual growth, hands-on mastery, moral integrity, and civic duty beautifully intertwine, adding that this vision culminated in a grand milestone at the institution’s 16th convocation ceremony, where 836 triumphantly accomplished graduands stepped forward to receive their well-earned academic laurels, marking the glorious completion of their scholarly journeys.
