The Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI) held its 7^th PhD Graduation Ceremony at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. The ceremony was part of the university’s 75^th Foundation Day celebrations attended by the Minister of Education, (representing H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria), and other top-ranking dignitaries.

Dr. Monica Idinoba, Principal Scientific Officer and Officer in charge of ESTI Department, headed the AU Delegation, as the representative of H.E. Prof. Mohammed Belhocine, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation. 

In her keynote address, Dr. Idinoba congratulated Nigeria’s President on his election victory. She highlighted the Pan African University’s role in driving excellence in education, research and innovation across the continent. Dr. Idinoba expressed gratitude to Nigeria’s Government, particularly the Ministry of Education and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), for their unwavering support. She also praised the university’s management led by Vice Chancellor K.O. Adebowale for providing an enabling environment.

The Pan African University, Dr. Idinoba said, aims to nurture high-quality graduates through interdisciplinary education grounded in science, technology and innovation so that they contribute to Africa’s socioeconomic growth as young entrepreneurs and influencers.

Established by the African Union, the Pan African University (PAU) has institutes in each of the continent’s five regions. PAULESI at Nigeria’s first university focuses on Life and Earth Sciences including health, agriculture, environment, geosciences and more. Over 500 students have graduated from PAULESI since its inception. Their aim is to groom exceptional African graduates able to create sustainable solutions to 21st century challenges.

The Pan African University’s presence accelerates Nigeria’s growth as a regional education hub. Meanwhile, PAULESI continues to foster research and innovation in areas critical to Africa’s sustainable development, living up to its name as the continent’s flagship university.

Dr. Monica Idinoba warmly congratulated the 12 PhD graduands for their performance, praising their hard work and character. She emphasized that they are well equipped to positively contribute to Africa’s development as agents of change.

The graduating students hailed from six countries - Nigeria, Sudan, DR Congo, Kenya, Cameroon and Ethiopia. Their doctoral research covered diverse fields such as petroleum geoscience, reproductive health, environmental management, plant breeding and reproductive biology. She noted that the current intake for PAULESI are from 45 countries of Africa, thereby enabling the integration of Africa for which the African Union stands for.

In conclusion, Dr Idinoba informed the audience that the recognition of Education as the cornerstone of progress and development in Africa necessitated the adoption of Education as the theme of the year 2024 by the AU heads of States. She called on all to showcase Education in the coming year as tool to Educate an African fit for the 21^st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Claudette Chancelle BILAMPASSI MOUTSATSI |

PAU Communication Officer| Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation| African Union Commission| E-mail: BilampassiC@africa-union.org| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.