Just In: Makinde Breaks Silence on Polytechnic Ibadan Renaming, Inaugurates Governing Councils of Tertiary Institutions
Makinde Breaks Silence on Polytechnic Ibadan Renaming, Inaugurates Governing Councils of Tertiary Institutions
Governor of Oyo State, *Seyi Makinde, on Friday restated his administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening quality and excellence across state-owned tertiary institutions through sustained support and investment.
The governor spoke during the inauguration of the Governing Councils of five state-owned higher institutions: The Polytechnic Ibadan; Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki (now Michael Koleoso Polytechnic, Saki); Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igboora; Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate; and Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology, Ibadan.
The chairmen inaugurated for the respective institutions are Prof. Lanre Nassar (The Polytechnic Ibadan), Rt. Hon. Babatunde Olaniyan (Akoro) (College of Health Science and Technology), Comrade Olusegun Oyewumi (College of Education, Lanlate), Dr. Amusan Damilare Gideon (College of Agriculture, Igboora), and Dr. Bisi Ojebola (Michael Koleoso Polytechnic, Saki).
Other council members were also sworn in during the ceremony.
Governor Makinde highlighted the progress achieved in the education sector, noting that Oyo State moved from owning “one and a half universities” in 2019 to having three fully established universities. He emphasized that the government remains focused on maintaining standards that meet international benchmarks.
He also acknowledged the reactions of alumni of The Polytechnic Ibadan, which was recently renamed in honour of former Governor Victor Omololu Olunloyo. He assured them of his readiness to engage in dialogue while advising that concerns be formally presented to the State House of Assembly, which will soon consider a bill on the matter.
During the event, the governor signed into law the renaming of The Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki as Michael Koleoso Polytechnic, Saki.
Governor Makinde commended the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Professor Ayodeji Omole, for his leadership in improving the state’s tertiary education landscape.
He said:
“Let me say thank you to Professor Omole and your team members. When we came into the office, we had one and a half universities in Oyo State, the Technical University and a half of LAUTECH. But through your efforts, we now have three solid universities in Oyo State. And, you have not stopped.
“We are constantly trying to see how those universities can sustain standards that are international and universal in nature. I can only assure you that this administration will continue to demonstrate its commitment to quality tertiary education and you can be assured of our support.
“I know that this Inauguration would not be complete if I refuse to say one thing or the other about the issue regarding the renaming of The Polytechnic, Ibadan after a former governor of the Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo.
“Well, the Baba, according to the record available to us, was the first Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan. So, what it means is that they must have handed over to him maybe some buildings and a clean sheet of paper that made this happen. So, he must have done his part. I have heard the alumni and the current student union body.”
The governor continued:
“If some of our EXCO members may remember, we argued about the name of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology at a point. The pro-chancellor came to me and said, ‘Yes, this university was founded to offer only technological-related education but we are seeking approval to allow them to offer other courses in humanities and other areas.’
“We said okay, go ahead. And the issue of name change came up. We said, well, since they are not offering only technology-based courses, will the name still stay as LAUTECH? We argued back and forth. I wanted the name to be changed to Ladoke Akintola University, but the alumni sent representatives to us and I said, ‘Okay, if you have any superior argument, we will listen to you’. And they came up with a list of schools that have undergone the same transformation and they still retained that name. So, we allowed superior arguments to prevail.
“After all, what we should be mostly concerned about is the quality of products from that school. I threw a very simple question to some of the people agitating to retain the name of The Polytechnic Ibadan. I said, ‘Look, let’s even say we now move to something like what we did at Emmanuel Alayande College of Education. We upgraded the institution from a college of education to a university of education. So, if tomorrow we upgrade The Polytechnic Ibadan to a university, will they tell us that it should still be The Polytechnic, Ibadan?’
“We are ready to engage with the people, if you have any superior arguments apart from sentiment. And, if you are coming to us to even talk about the infrastructure and the quality of graduates coming from that institution and making a case for us to put in more resources and all of that, I can understand. But still, we are ready to engage and my appeal to the students is, when you protest openly and you disturb others from going about their lawful activities, you need to realise that where your own freedom stops is where the freedom of others starts from.
“So, if there are differences, please go through the proper channel. This is an administration that listens to you. If you have a superior argument, then we will listen to you and we will even apologise to you.
“The process is on. If you have any issues, not about sentiment, I will listen and I will do whatever I can do within my own power to ensure that we lift the infrastructure in that institution, that will ensure that adequate resources are provided; be it monetary, be it material, be it human. We just need to ensure that we have good products coming out of that institution.”
He also addressed the challenge of subventions, promising to work with the councils to resolve funding gaps.
“I also need to mention this. I know that almost all the institutions are struggling with their subventions. But why did I meet with JAC before I was elected? They were being paid a fraction of the subvention, and after we won the election, the government of the day moved from 50 per cent subvention to 100 per cent but they did not pay it for one day. It was left for the incoming administration to execute.
“So, from day one in office, that singular act added one billion naira to the expenses of the state. Then we continued to manage with the understanding from JAC when we had to negotiate a new minimum wage from N18,000 to N30,000. Now, minimum wage, again, within this administration, has moved from N30,000 to N80,000.
“I know some of you have been coming to us. I believe we had to make a special arrangement for the College of Education, Lanlate, for them to be able to pay salaries over these past two months. So, I know you are struggling and we don’t want this to be some kind of hardship posting for the Governing Council in those institutions.
“So, we are going to be engaging with you shortly to see what we can do. The resources of the state are limited and we still have to ensure that we give quality education, that we have a good learning environment, and we will do everything to ensure that our graduates from those special institutions can compete with the best from around the world.
“So, I acknowledge openly now that you are faced with those challenges. And, in the days or perhaps weeks ahead, we will definitely solve that problem.”
Members of the Governing Councils inaugurated include:
Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate
- Alhaji Badmus Tajudeen Tunde
- Mr. Bamise Alabi
- Saliu Alao Jimoh
- Babarinde Sunday Ademola
Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igboora
- Alhaji Salami Lateef Adebayo
- Mr. Oseni Abolade Olosun
- Dr. Adekunle Onile
- Mr. Kareem Adesina Rashid
- Dr. Saheed Adetunji Ige
- Mr. Joseph Oladapo Olaoye
- Mr. Babatunde Akeem
The Polytechnic Ibadan, Ibadan
- Prince Adeleke Akinboye Ajala
- Prof. Odunola Olaitan Olutayo
- Prof. (Engr.) Mudasiru Lateef Owolabi
- Mr. Abduljelili Sunmonu
- Engr. Tajudeen Bello Olori
- Mr. Ogungbe Oludele Tunji
- Mrs. Eniola Lucy Bola
The Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki
- Mrs. Mojisola Olufunmilayo Ajayi
- Mrs. Bose Morakinyo
- Adeyanju Noah Olusola
- Hon. Olajide Olusina Olatoye
- Mr. Mudasir Niyi Salaam
Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology, Ibadan
- Mrs. Dolapo Dosumu
- Fatai Usman Bolaji
- Mr. Bodunde Adeosun
- Pharmacist Oluyemisi Oyero
Among those present were Deputy Governor Barr. Bayo Lawal; Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin; Justice K.A. Adedokun (representing the Chief Judge); PDP Deputy National Chairman Amb. Taofeek Arapaja; former Deputy Governors Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi and Barr. Hazeem Gbolarumi; former Speaker Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Secretary to the State Government Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Deputy Chief of Staff Hon. Kazim Adeyinka Adeniyi; commissioners; Chairman of the Oyo State Advisory Council Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN); PDP State Secretary Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke; and ALGON Chairman Hon. Sikiru Oyedele Sanda.