Education
Education: UI stakeholders meet, brainstorm for a better funding
Critical stakeholders in the University of Ibadan (UI) on Thursday, converged in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and proffered lasting solutions to the dwindling funding of the university system in Nigeria by the Federal government in the past 10 years.
They met at the orientation programme for alumni relations representatives, organised by the Office of Alumni Relations, University of Ibadan, with the theme: ‘Building a 21st Century Alumni Community,’ held at Trenchard Hall of UI.
Speakers at the occasion included the Vice Chancellor of the university. Prof. Kayode Adebowale; former President, Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA) Worldwide, Dr. Abib Olamitoye, who is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ibadan Central Hospital (ICH), and Academy Suites in Ibadan and Abeokuta; the Director, Office of Alumni Relations, UI, Prof. Peter Olapegba; and the Deputy Provost, College of Medicine, UI, Prof. Fatai Adeniyi, who had served previously as Secretary and later President of ICOMAA.
The Vice Chancellor of the university. Prof. Adebowale, who chaired the orientation programme, noted that the time has come for universities to look inward and deepen their relationships with their alumni communities to complement funding from proprietors.
According to him, “There is no doubt that with the dwindling resources, particularly in terms of funding, that is coming to the university system, we need to look inward so that we will be able to sustain the activities of teaching, research and community service. For federal universities, for instance, the funding that is coming is reducing every year in the past 10 years.
“Therefore, all over the world, universities could not depend solely on funding that is coming from their proprietors. In this case, our proprietor is the Federal Government. And one of the ways is to be able to engage the alumni in terms of what they can plow back to the system because they are part and parcel of the university.
“But if we don’t deepen the relationship with the alumni, you can’t say they should plow back. If somebody you don’t have a relationship with, how will you say he or she should give you anything? So, it is now that we are starting to deepen our relationship with them so that together we would be able to move our university to greater heights.”
The lead speaker of the technical session of the event, Dr. Abib Olamitoye, recalled how his tenure as the President, of the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA) Worldwide, built a 21st Century alumni community for the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. He added that the ICOMAA is currently building an N2.5 billion new hall for medical students in the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
Olamitoye, who graduated as a medical doctor from UI in 1985, said one of his course mates then, Phillip Ozuah, based in the United States, donated US$ 1 million to the College of Medicine of UI for the alumni hostel inside UCH, adding that ICOMAA has also raised over N700million supporting the project from all other old students of the college.
“The alumni can advance institutions because we have done it before. I was between 2016 and 2019, the President, of the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association Worldwide. Then, we laid a foundation and set a vision that is now beginning to yield dividends for the college. So, if our methodology works in the College of Medicine, it can also work for the whole university.
“Today in the College of Medicine, UI, we have raised over a billion naira to build a new hall, which will be bigger than the existing hall of medical students in UCH. The cost of the project is N2.5 billion, and we have raised over 45 percent of that. One of my classmates, who did not know about ICOMAA before I stepped in, among other alumni, who now know about ICOMAA, donated US$ 1 million. Then, we have raised over N700 million supporting the project from all the other alumni.”
Olamitoye, however, noted that “the University of Ibadan has raised so many graduates over the years. The university will be 75 years by November, this year 2023. A lot of these people the university has raised are governors, ministers, and successful entrepreneurs, and many of them are in the diaspora; in America and the United Kingdom. They should be reached and let them see reasons they should give back to the system that produced them. We are sowing seeds, which shall grow. We shall propagate it and create awareness. Then, people will see that they need to contribute to the development of their alma mater.”
The Director of, the Office of Alumni Relations, Prof. Peter Olapegba, who explained that alumni relations are a concept of maintaining life-long relationships with graduates of the university, stated that one-third of revenue that universities in advanced countries generate annually is brought in by alumni of respective institutions. He added: “We should also leverage our alumni base if we will improve funding in our university. The alumni won’t want the university to collapse, and they will also want the standards to be maintained.”
The second speaker at the technical session, Prof. Fatai Adeniyi, the Deputy Provost, College of Medicine, UI, emphasised the importance of the alumni community towards achieving improved funding for the university, however, warned that any funding request to the alumni community should focus on addressing challenges of students, and not staff welfare.
The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede (FEDPA), Oyo State, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, has been honoured with the Leadership Excellence and Education Icon Award in recognition of his contributions to the education sector and national development.
The award was presented by Bollyjoe Media Communications Ltd, a media and communications firm based in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Wednesday.
Presenting the award, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Joseph Uzuakpundu Bollyjoe, said Abdul-Hameed was recognised for his selfless service and transformative leadership within Nigeria’s polytechnic education system.
He noted that under the Rector’s stewardship, the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, had witnessed strategic reforms aimed at strengthening academic standards and promoting institutional stability.
According to him, the Rector’s policies have repositioned the institution for sustainable growth and aligned its technical education programmes with global best practices.
Since assuming office, the Rector has prioritised infrastructural development, administrative discipline and innovation-driven governance, earning commendations from stakeholders.
Reacting to the honour, Abdul-Hameed, described the award as a motivation to further deepen reforms and consolidate on existing achievements.
“This recognition is not just personal; it reflects the dedication of our management, staff and students who share the vision of building a globally competitive institution,” the Rector said.
He added that the polytechnic would remain committed to excellence, integrity and continuous development in line with national educational aspirations.
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday described the Federal Polytechnic Ayede as the best-performing among federal polytechnics established in 2021, commending its infrastructural expansion and academic stability as the institution graduated 325 students at its maiden convocation ceremony.
Tinubu, who is the Visitor to the institution, was represented by the Director, Polytechnics and Allied Institutions, Dr. Usman Ejeh. He said the polytechnic’s achievements within five years were “remarkable and strategic,” adding that its growth aligns with the Federal Government’s reform agenda for technical and vocational education.
“The Federal Polytechnic Ayede has distinguished itself among its peers established in 2021. Its commitment to infrastructure, skills acquisition, and academic stability clearly positions it as a model institution,” he said.
The President noted that his administration had introduced key reforms, including the students’ loan scheme under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, curriculum modernisation, infrastructural renewal, and digital skills expansion to reposition the education sector.
“We are determined to build institutions that will produce innovators, entrepreneurs, and solution providers for our economy,” he added, urging the management to consolidate on existing gains.
Earlier, the Rector, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, described the combined convocation for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions as a defining milestone in the institution’s history.
“We gather here today to officially present to the world the first set of graduates produced by the Federal Polytechnic Ayede. This indeed calls for celebration,” he said.
The rector expressed appreciation to Tinubu for policies aimed at strengthening technical education and acknowledged the support of regulatory and funding agencies, including the National Board for Technical Education and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, for accreditation and infrastructural interventions that accelerated the institution’s development.
He disclosed that 138 students graduated in the 2023/2024 session and 187 in the 2024/2025 session, bringing the total number of graduands to 325.
According to him, Miss Taiwo Ibukunoluwa Arinola of Science Laboratory Technology and Mr. Olapese Quadri Ayofe of Agricultural Technology emerged as the overall best graduating students for their respective sessions with a cumulative grade point average of 3.96.
Beyond the award of National Diploma certificates, Abdul-Hameed said each graduand obtained at least two additional vocational certifications through the Centre for Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development.
“Our graduates are not just job seekers but employers of labour. We have deliberately equipped them with relevant entrepreneurial and technical competencies,” he said, adding that 68 major projects had been executed across the temporary and permanent sites through TETFund interventions, Federal Government appropriations, and donor support.
The projects, he said, include a main administrative building, ICT centre, health centre, engineering workshops, and improved power infrastructure, while the institution also recorded over 64 research projects and nine TETFund-supported fabrication innovations. He also reaffirmed the polytechnic’s resolve to relocate fully to its permanent site in Ayede, Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area, and appealed for improved access roads and hostel accommodation.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Hon. Yakubu Dati, described the ceremony as a celebration of vision and collective commitment, urging government, corporate organisations, and well-meaning Nigerians to support the institution with critical infrastructure, particularly road networks and student hostels, through direct intervention or Public-Private Partnership arrangements. He commended the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, and the host community for sustaining a peaceful environment, and appreciated the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, who was also the guest lecturer, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, for supporting the construction of an access road to the institution.
Fellowship awards were conferred on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji; and Dr Abubakar Isa.
The event attracted traditional rulers, including the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye; the Timi of Ede, Oba Adesola Munirudeen Lawal; and the Aresa of Iresapupa, Oba Moses Olayiwola Ajiboye, as well as Senators Ayo Adeseun, Abdulfatai Buhari, prominent Ogbomoso leaders, rectors of sister polytechnics, scholars, and other dignitaries.
Education
Oyo: Speaker Abbas, NRS Chair, Adedeji to Attend Ayede Polytechnic’s Maiden Convocation as 325 Set to Graduate
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas, and the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adelabu Adedeji, will on Thursday grace the maiden combined convocation ceremony of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State, where no fewer than 325 students will be awarded National Diploma certificates.
The Pioneer Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, disclosed this on Monday during a pre-convocation press conference at the institution’s Permanent Site in Ayede, describing the event as “a defining milestone” in the history of the young federal institution.
“This is the first convocation of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, since its establishment on January 19, 2021, and it marks our transition from take-off to consolidation,” the Rector said.
Abdul-Hameed said the speaker would chair the convocation lecture, while the NRS boss, Adedeji would deliver the lecture titled, ‘The Role of Technology in Implementing Nigeria’s New Tax Laws: Challenges and Prospects’, noting that the calibre of invited dignitaries reflected the institution’s rising national profile.
“The presence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service underscores the growing relevance of the Polytechnic in national development discourse,” he said.
According to the Rector, the combined convocation covers the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions and will span six days, featuring a novelty football match, convocation lecture, award of National Diploma certificates, and the conferment of fellowship honours.
He disclosed that 138 students completed their programmes in the 2023/2024 academic session, while 187 students graduated in the 2024/2025 session, bringing the total number of graduands to 325.
On academic expansion, Abdul-Hameed said the Polytechnic commenced academic activities in 2023 with four National Diploma programmes but has grown to run 13 fully accredited ND programmes across five schools.
“We currently operate across the Schools of Engineering, Environmental Technology, Management Sciences, Science and Technology, and Agricultural Technology, all with full NBTE accreditation,” he stated.
The Rector attributed the institution’s rapid growth to sustained support from the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside interventions from the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Board for Technical Education, and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
“These interventions have strengthened our capacity in programme accreditation, staff development, and infrastructure delivery,” he said.
Abdul-Hameed further revealed that the Polytechnic had executed 68 major infrastructural, ICT, and utility projects across its Permanent and Temporary campuses, adding that work was ongoing on the access road linking the Permanent Site from Idi-Araba.
“While we have made significant progress, we still require support in access roads, student hostels, power supply, water facilities, and digital infrastructure to sustain our growth,” the Rector appealed.
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