Oyo Governor Says Sustainability Study Will Be Conducted as Ahmed Raji Hails Development in Oke Ogun
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has promised to initiate the process of granting autonomy to the Iseyin campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, following a request by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and President of the Oke Ogun Development Consultative Forum (ODCF), Alhaji Ahmed Raji.
Makinde gave the assurance on Wednesday during the commissioning and handover of the Alhaji Kazeem Owonikoko Building at L.A. Primary School, Oke Esa, Iseyin, a facility donated to the Oyo State Government by Raji.
Responding to the appeal for the Iseyin campus to become a full-fledged autonomous university, the governor said his administration would engage the National Universities Commission (NUC) and conduct a sustainability study to determine the feasibility of the proposal.
“Regarding your request on the Iseyin Campus of LAUTECH becoming an autonomous university, we will go through the process. We will apply through the NUC, and I will carry out a sustainability study too. So, what you have asked for is done,” Makinde said.
Earlier, Raji commended the Makinde administration for its developmental projects across Iseyin and the wider Oke Ogun Zone, particularly the Moniya–Iseyin Road, Oyo–Iseyin Road and Iseyin–Fapote–Ogbomoso Road.
He also praised the establishment of LAUTECH’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources in Iseyin, describing it as a significant contribution to educational development in the area.
“When those who call themselves progressives were in government, they didn’t give us this. You came and gave us what they could not,” Raji said, while urging the governor to take further steps towards granting the campus autonomy.
The donated Alhaji Kazeem Owonikoko Building, equipped with classrooms, offices, solar power, furniture and modern learning facilities, was also commended by Makinde, who described it as a demonstration of the importance of private contributions to public education.
The governor reiterated his commitment to development across Oyo State, irrespective of political affiliation, and highlighted ongoing industrial activities in Iseyin, including the sugar factory near Fasola Farms, which he said was undergoing test running.
The event was attended by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin; and other government officials, traditional rulers and community leaders.
