Alausa Hails Baze University, Calls for Reinvention as Public Universities Regain Stability

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has commended Baze University as one of Nigeria’s leading private tertiary institutions, while urging it to reinvent itself in response to the growing stability of public universities under the current administration.

Alausa made the remarks during a surprise reception held in honour of the new Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, at Vannilla Restaurant in Maitama, shortly after the institution’s Seventh Inaugural Lecture.

He praised the university’s academic growth and contributions to higher education, but noted that the improving stability in public universities is reshaping Nigeria’s education landscape.

According to him, reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are helping to restore predictable academic calendars in public universities, reducing strikes and disruptions that previously gave private institutions a competitive advantage.

“The instability that once characterised public universities gave private institutions a competitive advantage,” he said, adding that universities must now compete beyond academic calendar stability.

He challenged private universities to reposition themselves through innovation, global relevance, and stronger academic outcomes.

“The challenge is not merely to sustain success, but to reimagine and reinvent institutions for a new era,” the Minister said, stressing that the future belongs to universities that are “agile, innovative, globally connected and committed to excellence.”

Alausa urged the incoming Vice Chancellor, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, to deepen research capacity, strengthen academic standards, and expand international collaborations, while building on the legacy of the university’s founder, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed.

He further called for stronger emphasis on emerging disciplines such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, biotechnology, renewable energy, and the creative economy, noting their importance to Nigeria’s future workforce.

“The university of the future cannot operate in isolation,” he said, encouraging stronger partnerships with industry, government, and global institutions to enhance innovation and employability.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of research-driven education, saying universities must contribute meaningfully to knowledge production and national development, not just certification.

He described the Seventh Inaugural Lecture of the university as evidence of its growing intellectual maturity and academic culture.

The Ministry of Education said leadership transitions present opportunities for renewal, expressing confidence that the new Vice Chancellor will consolidate and expand the institution’s achievements.

Alausa concluded by urging staff, students, and stakeholders to support the new leadership, stressing that building a strong university is a collective responsibility aimed at positioning the institution among Africa’s leading centres of learning.