President Goodluck Jonathan has called on professors and other academics in the country to ensure a drastic change in the quality of graduates produced by tertiary institutions in the country.

Speaking today through his Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi, the president said the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions (Amendment) Act 2012 increasing the compulsory retirement age of university staff in the professorial cadre from 65 to 70 and the Retirement Age of Staff of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education (Harmonisation) Act 2012 would motivate the employees of tertiary institutions.

"The issues addressed by these Acts have been sources of contentions between the university and polytechnic labour unions on one hand and the federal government on the other. The new laws would substantially enhance industrial harmony, productivity and better learning in the nation's tertiary institutions.

"Signing the bills into law are further proofs of President Jonathan's commitment to repositioning the nation's educational system. What the president has done is in the best interest of the nation, especially given the worrisome standard of education because we need experienced hands to stop the decline forthwith", Emodi said.