The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, Mukail Akinde, has applauded President Bola Tinubu for his committed interest in reviving the hope of Nigerians through qualitative education capable of empowering the young ones for a more prosperous future.
The Rector said that the news of the upgrading of the polytechnic to a university of technology has thrown both the management and the staff, as well as the student population of over 21,000, and even the people of Ilaro, the host community, into wild jubilation.
Akinde disclosed this on Thursday while speaking to journalists over the elevation of the 46-year-old polytechnic to a University of Technology.
Tinubu on Wednesday was said to have signed into law the bill establishing the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro thereby upgrading the existing Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro to a full-fledged university.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio had disclosed this on Wednesday, lauding Tinubu for such a landmark decision.
Akpabio had also congratulated Senator Olamilekan Adeola, the sponsor of the bill, and the people of Ogun West and Ogun State at large.
Addressing journalists on the development on Thursday, Akinde said that he had thought that the pursuit of seeking to elevate the polytechnic to university of technology had gone with the wind.
Akinde stated that the good news however filtered in on Wednesday that the heartfelt cry of the students, the staff and management as well as that of the host community of the polytechnic established in 1979 had been heard and answered.
The Rector stated that the polytechnic would remain eternally grateful to the Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola fondly called Yayi, who had been sponsoring the bill for the upgrading of the Polytechnic to university since 2021.
He said that “The journey actually started on April 22nd 2021 when the first presentation seeking for the upgrading of the Polytechnic into university of technology was made to the national assembly during the administration of my predecessor, Dr Segun Aluko who was the Rector then.
“One of our former Rectors, Dr Raheem Oloyo made the presentation to the national assembly. We were not successful with the presentation made in 2021 during the administration of President Muhammad Buhari.
However, on July 16, 2024, another presentation on the bill seeking to elevate the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro to a university of technology was presented by my humble self along other members of the committee to the national assembly.
“We had waited and thought that it was not going to come but on Wednesday, the Senate President, His Excellency, Godswill Akpabio announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assented to the bill.
“This good news has thrown all of us into jubilation mood since yesterday because it is a very big win and great development for the school. The polytechnic started in 1979 with seven departments and two schools but as we speak the school now has seven schools with 103 programs.
We have 47 National Diploma department and 56 Higher National Diploma departments with 21,112 students population.
“The children could not contain their joy when they heard the news on Wednesday because the issues of HND/BSc certificates dichotomy always hunt the polytechnic graduates.
“We shall remain eternally grateful to President Bola Tinubu for renewing our hope at this polytechnic with this milestone achievement, we equally expressed our profound appreciation to the Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola Olamilekan fondly called Yayi, who sponsored this bill, this is in addition to his numerous support towards the development of the institution”.
Akinde said that the school has both abundant human and infrastructural resources to fully take off as university and that with about 893 acres of land, the institution is capable of absorbing further expansion which may come with its new university status.
Asked how soon the university will be opening its door for admission, the Rector said that all of that would be worked out soon by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with other relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, the Rector of Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, Abiodun Oluseye has equally expressed his appreciation to Tinubu and Adeola for helping to bring to pass the dream of upgrading the polytechnic to a University of Technology.
While rejoicing with the management, staff and students of the polytechnic, Dr Oluseye said that the transition marks a significant development for the entire state as it will undoubtedly further enhance academic excellence, foster innovation, and contribute to the region’s growth and development.
The Rector pledged collaboration with the newly established FUTI to drive academic excellence and progress in the region.
