Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has formally inaugurated the governing councils of five state-owned tertiary institutions, reaffirming his administration’s dedication to enhancing educational standards across the state.
The inauguration ceremony took place in Ibadan on Saturday and marked another step toward consolidating reforms within the state’s higher education sector.
The institutions whose councils were inaugurated include The Polytechnic Ibadan, now renamed Victor Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan; 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, Eleyele, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde emphasized his administration’s unwavering commitment to excellence in education, noting that Oyo State had made significant progress in the development of its tertiary education system.
He highlighted the transition from having “one and a half universities” in 2019 to now owning three fully operational state universities. This, he said, was achieved through collaborative efforts with key stakeholders, including the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Professor Ayodeji Omole.
The newly appointed chairmen of the various councils are Prof. Lanre Nassar (The Polytechnic Ibadan), Rt. Hon. Babatunde Olaniyan (Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology), Comrade Olusegun Oyewumi (Oyo State College of Education), Dr. Amusan Damilare Gideon (Oyo State College of Agriculture), and Dr. Bisi Ojebola (Michael Koleoso Polytechnic, Saki). Other council members were also sworn in.
During the event, Governor Makinde signed into law the renaming of The Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, to Michael Koleoso Polytechnic, Saki. The renaming aligns with his administration’s broader agenda to honor notable figures who have contributed significantly to the state’s educational and political landscape.
While addressing concerns surrounding the recent renaming of The Polytechnic Ibadan after former Governor Victor Omololu Olunloyo, the governor acknowledged the mixed reactions, particularly from the alumni and student union. He assured them that the government was open to further engagement and discussion.
“If you have any superior argument apart from sentiment, we will listen,” Makinde said. “If your concern is about the quality of education or infrastructure, then let’s talk. We must be guided by facts and merit, not just emotions.”
Makinde likened the situation to previous debates around the naming of LAUTECH, where alumni engagement and logical arguments led the government to retain the university’s name despite broadening its academic offerings.
The governor emphasized that renaming institutions should not distract from the ultimate goal—producing high-quality graduates who can compete globally. He noted that if The Polytechnic Ibadan were to be upgraded to a university in the future, its name would naturally evolve to reflect the new status.
Touching on challenges faced by state-owned institutions, Governor Makinde acknowledged the financial pressures caused by rising wage bills and subvention gaps. He traced the state’s shift from 50 percent subvention under the previous administration to 100 percent under his leadership. However, he admitted that the sustainability of this policy had become increasingly difficult, especially with the recent increase in the minimum wage from N30,000 to N80,000.
“I know the College of Education, Lanlate, recently received special financial arrangements to meet salary obligations. We don’t want this to become a hardship posting for governing council members,” the governor said. “We’ll engage you in the coming days to find a viable solution.”
Makinde assured council members that his administration remains committed to ensuring state institutions are well-funded and conducive for learning. He called for collaborative efforts to uplift infrastructure, improve academic quality, and ensure graduates from Oyo State’s institutions are globally competitive.
The governor also urged students and alumni to adopt peaceful and constructive means of expressing grievances. He noted that protests should not infringe on the rights of others and advised stakeholders to use proper communication channels.
“This is an administration that listens,” he assured. “If we find your arguments persuasive and in the interest of progress, we’ll not only listen—we’ll also apologize and take corrective steps.”
Governor Makinde ended by reiterating that his administration is not only committed to renaming and restructuring institutions but also fully focused on resolving systemic challenges and creating world-class centers of learning in the state.
What You Should Know
Governor Makinde has inaugurated new governing councils for five state-owned institutions in Oyo and signed the renaming of The Oke Ogun Polytechnic to Michael Koleoso Polytechnic.
He addressed alumni concerns about the renaming of The Polytechnic Ibadan and promised open dialogue. He also acknowledged funding challenges in tertiary institutions and pledged imminent action to resolve them.
