About 5,000 professors and senior academics from more than 130 tertiary institutions are expected to converge on Eagle Square, Abuja, to declare support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

This was disclosed in a statement by Bolarinwa Bolaji, the leader of the Progressives in Academics (Pro-Acad), on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Bolaji said that the gathering would formally converge on November 30 to endorse Mr Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He noted that the academic community had witnessed steady progress under the Tinubu administration, particularly in the education sector.

“For decades, the Nigerian academic system suffered from poor remuneration, infrastructural decay and policy inconsistency. Under President Bola Tinubu, that narrative has changed.

“The salaries and welfare of academic staff have recorded steady growth, with over a 100 per cent increase compared to the past, restoring dignity, motivation and productivity to the system,” he said.

Mr Bolaji highlighted the removal of tertiary institutions from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and the settlement of outstanding earned allowances as parts of the benefits being enjoyed during the administration. He also highlighted the operationalisation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which he said had benefited more than one million students.

He further cited increased funding for the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and measures to revitalise the university system.

According to Mr Bolaji, the reforms have strengthened confidence among academics and demonstrated the administration’s commitment to restoring autonomy and dignity to institutions of higher learning.

“President Tinubu has returned autonomy and respect to the ivory tower. This is why progressive academics have resolved to speak with one voice. The Eagle Square declaration is our political contribution to ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not truncated but consolidated beyond 2027,” he said.

Mr Bolaji said that the declaration document, titled ‘Academic Declaration for Continuity and Renewed Hope 2027’, would present the academics’ assessment of the administration, highlight its achievements in education and outline their support for continuity beyond the 2027 election.

He also said that mobilisation was ongoing across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education ahead of the event.

The event is expected to provide a platform for the academics to publicly express their position on the administration’s reforms and advocate the continuation of the Renewed Hope Agenda beyond 2027.

(NAN)