President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to making Nigeria a country that works for all, urging citizens to focus on progress rather than engaging in blame games.

Speaking at the 48th convocation ceremony of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, the president, represented by Tope Fasua, his Special Adviser on Economy, emphasized that while his administration’s reform policies may bring temporary hardship, they are necessary for the country’s long-term development.

Tinubu acknowledged the difficult economic conditions faced by Nigerians but assured them that these challenges were a result of previous administrations’ policies, which, despite their intent, had not yielded positive outcomes for the masses. He stated, “We have gladly accepted the assets and liabilities of our heroes past without any intention of apportioning blame or pointing fingers.”

The president urged Nigerians to cooperate and endure the temporary difficulties for a brighter future, noting that just like the graduates of the day, the nation would ultimately celebrate its successes. “I am certainly seeing the light at the end of our tunnel,” he added.

The Chancellor of OAU, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, also spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of investing in education as the key to a nation’s development and global competitiveness.

In his address, Pro-Chancellor Professor Siyan Oyeweso encouraged the 977 postgraduate graduates to use their knowledge to build a nation filled with opportunities for future generations.

The convocation ceremony included the conferment of honorary Doctorate Degrees on several distinguished individuals, including First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola, and Daere Afonya-A Akobo.