ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has stated that the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration have helped stabilise Nigeria’s economy and averted a deeper national crisis.
The governor made the remarks during a meeting with student representatives from tertiary institutions across the state in Akure, where he discussed issues of economic hardship, education, and student welfare.
Aiyedatiwa admitted that citizens were still facing challenges due to the ongoing reforms but insisted that the policies were beginning to show positive results.
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“It’s a temporary hardship that is easing up. The reforms are yielding results and benefits, and they are making the economy better,” he said. “If these reforms had not been implemented, Nigeria would have been worse off today.”
He praised student leaders in the state for maintaining peace across campuses, highlighting that there had been no violent agitations since he assumed office.
“I want to commend all of you for the way and manner you have been conducting yourselves. Since I became governor, there has been no student unrest as it were. You have engaged clearly without any form of violent agitation,” he said.
The governor stressed the importance of collaboration between government and the private sector to address infrastructure and accommodation challenges in tertiary institutions.
He mentioned the ongoing reconstruction works near Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, as part of efforts to enhance student safety.
“We had to reconstruct that road because of the high rate of accidents near Akungba University. It’s a technical road, but we’ve started it and we will complete it,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to technical and vocational education as a means of driving industrial growth and job creation.
“We are paying more attention to technical education. Investors are coming, and they will need skilled labour,” he noted.
He also assured students that the state government would intervene in the electricity supply challenges at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), to improve learning and research conditions.
As part of his student welfare initiative, the governor announced the approval of five new buses for student associations across tertiary institutions in the state, promising more support in the future.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Segun Omoyofunmi, praised the governor for his continued engagement with young people and his approval of increased bursaries and scholarships for students.
He added that the administration’s focus on youth empowerment, including the launch of an under-17 football competition, reflected its strong commitment to nurturing future leaders in Ondo State.