Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, led by its Founder and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Alhaji Chief (Dr.) Abdulraheem Oladimeji, OFR, FNAEAP, fspsp, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Noah Yusuf and Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. L. F. Oladimeji, paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, GCON, Speaker of the House of Representatives in Abuja on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
The visit was a gesture of appreciation following the Speaker’s physical presence on Monday, 30th December, 2024 to deliver the University’s 14th Convocation Lecture titled, Beyond Oil: Exploring Alternative Revenue Potentials for Economic Growth and Sustainable Development in Nigeria. The lecture generated widespread commendation from scholars, economists, and policymakers worldwide, reinforcing his reputation as a visionary leader committed to Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The highlight of the visit was the formal robing of the Speaker as Honorary Doctor of Public Administration (Honoris Causa). Although the conferment had officially taken place during the University’s ’s 14th Convocation Ceremony on January 7, 2025, the Speaker was unavailable due to official engagements. This visit, therefore, provided an opportunity for the formal robing ceremony, a moment of great significance for both the University and the Rt Honourable Speaker.
In his short speeach, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Noah Yusuf emphasized the profound impact of the lecture, stating that it continues to generate positive reactions from academia, industry stakeholders, and the public. He lauded the Speaker’s meticulous delivery and insightful analysis, which have been widely regarded as first-class contributions to Nigeria’s economic discourse.
Beyond appreciation, the Al-Hikmah delegation seized the moment to propose a National Roundtable on Beyond Oil -: a policy-driven initiative aimed at taking the conversation beyond the university halls to the national stage. The proposed roundtable will bring together:
✅ Government functionaries
✅ Policymakers
✅ Experts in Economics & Public Finance
✅ Academia
The goal is to explore sustainable revenue alternatives for Nigeria, building on the insights shared in the Speaker’s lecture. A formal proposal was submitted for the Speaker’s consideration.
In his response, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen expressed deep appreciation for the honor bestowed upon him. He described the moment as a day of joy and fulfillment, emphasizing his lifelong connection to Al-Hikmah University as a stakeholder. He praised the university’s founder, Alhaji Chief Abdulraheem Oladimeji, for his remarkable contributions to education, noting that despite not attending a university himself, he has established an institution that has produced professors and thought leaders across various fields.
The Speaker reaffirmed his commitment to supporting educational initiatives and national development policies, expressing gratitude for the university’s recognition of his contributions.
The visit symbolized a strengthened relationship between academia and governance, with Al-Hikmah University and the House of Representatives aligning on critical national issues. The event was concluded with prayers and goodwill messages for His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, GCON from the Founder and Chairman, Board of Trustees.