The Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali, has urged the incoming administration of Muhammadu Buhari to prioritise education.

He said that the solid education foundation put in place by the late premier of the old Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, has elevated the region above other parts of the country in the area of education.

Ambali stated this during the annual Back-to-School programme of the Nigeria Universities Education Students' Association (NUESA) of the university, celebrated in memory of Awolowo.

The vice-chancellor, represented by the Dean, Faculty of Education, Professor Alfred Adegoke, said that no nation can attain greatness unless its citizens were educated.

He lamented the neglect of primary and secondary schools by successive governments in the country, advising that this neglect should be addressed forthwith.

Speaking on the theme of the programme: "Connecting the Past with the Present for a Rewarding Future in Nigeria Education System", the vice chancellor added: "Every child must be given an opportunity to good and quality western education. And that's what Chief Obafemi Awolowo stood for.

"He was the man who stood for education for all. One of the pillars of his philosophy, one of the visions he had, was to make education free for every child. And today, many of us are beneficiaries of free education that Chief Obafemi Awolowo started in those days.

"In all things he made, he was able to put the Western Region ahead because of the solid foundation of education that he laid for this country. Happily, there is a new government coming on board to build on the philosophy and vision of the sage because education is the foundation.

"For any nation to become a great nation, or to take its place in the comity of nations, for any nation to make a significant impact, that nation must have its citizens well educated. That's the cardinal philosophy that Chief Awolowo stood for."