Education
SPECIAL REPORT: ICAST: A Citadel of Learning With A Difference
IN January 2011, a citadel of learning for primary and secondary school pupils in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, was conceptualised. What made this conceptualisation unique was its timing; the concept was envisioned when people were dinning and winning during a house warming ceremony.
To Engineer Dotun Sanusi, an entrepreneur of repute and the proprietor of International Collage of Arts, Science and Technology (ICAST) something was missing in the serene and quiet atmosphere of Elebu, a suburb in Ido Local Government Area of Ibadan, where he had just become one of the landlords in the area. But being a lover of sound education, he did not take him too much time to figure out the missing link. He wasted no time to establish a private school (initially, primary school) which was christened Institute of College of Arts, Science and Technology (ICAST) that is to take care of the education of the children born in Elebu area and its suburb right from their cradle up till the end of their secondary education.
He left no stone unturned in his determination to ensure that a school that will see to the preparation of tomorrow’s leaders today was commissioned just nine months after its conception. Befitting physical structure, well equipped Science laboratory and State-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as well as world class sporting infrastructure for Extra-Curricular activities were part of the facilities put in place in order to actualise his ambition of producing students who can rub shoulders with their counterparts anywhere in the world.
Engr Dotun Sanusi, ICAST Schools’ Proprietor.
He went further by employing capable and highly experienced personnel to manage the school and to ensure that his lofty dream for the school materialised. Eight years since ICAST was established, the SSS 3 students of the school have recorded outstanding results consistently in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams they have sat for since 2016. Engr. Sanusi, the Proprietor of ICAST, must have internalised one of Dwayne Johnson’s quotations when he said “success isn’t always about greatness; It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success after which greatness will come”. Engnr. Sanusi knows too well that for ICAST to be rated among the greats, the school has to be consistent in terms of academic performances.
Thus, when this year WAEC results were released and the students, once again, recorded hundred percent success, it was not a surprise to some people who are aware that the school management has made academic success their permanent friend through a well developed academic culture.
This year’s feat has made nonsense of the insinuations made two years ago by some people who felt that it is a matter of time before ‘Nigerian factor’ stagnates the wheel of the School’s progress.
While reacting to the recently released WAEC results in which his school performed exceedingly well, ICAST School’s proprietor, Engineer Sanusi, submitted that “it is not part of our plan to prove anybody wrong. What we are after is to ensure that our commitment to academic excellence does not suffer any laxity.” He stated further, “One of our cardinal principles is to better our best everytime. Whether we are eight years old or has reached one hundred years, it does not matter. We shall always strive to churn out students whose academic abilities and certificates would never be queried any where in the world”, he concluded.
Pastor Oyelowo Olanrewju, ICAST Schools’ Principal.
In his own response, ICAST School’s principal, Mr. Oyelowo Olanrewaju, revealed that the key to ICAST School’s consistency as regards the students outstanding performances in WAEC examinations in the past three years is due to the school’s stakeholders, students, parents and teachers’ diligence, discipline and commitment to academic excellence.
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“Our teachers here are not only committed physically but they are spiritually. On several occasions, we go to extra miles of teaching them during the weekends. We source for past questions and teaching aids for them with a view to preparing them for WAEC or any other external examinations they want to sit for. We redirect their minds away from social life to academic activities. Besides making them realise the essence of being sent to school by their parents, we also fill them up spiritually. We start all these calculated and deliberate efforts as soon as they get to SS I, thus, by the time they reach SS II they are already mentally and academically prepared for any kind of examination whatsoever”, said Mr. Olanrewju.
Commenting on the synergy that exists between the school’s management and the parents, the Chairman of ICAST Schools’ Parents, Teachers Association (PTA), Pastor John Ibiloye, disclosed that there exists effective communication channel on both parties.
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According to him, “the school’s management does not see us as their ‘customers’. We are seen as a critical stakeholder, hence our observations are always taken with seriousness it deserves. Collectively as parents, we are not only interested in our children outstanding performance during examination alone, we are also interested in the pre-exam activities. That is why we are very glad that the outstanding results the school has recorded in recent years are not flukes but as a result of hardwork and commitment of all the parties concerned”
However, both the PTA Chairman and the school’s principal unanimously agree that holistic education is not only about outstanding academic performances alone, adding that, behavioural aspect of education is as equally important. They posited that it is on this principle of pursuant of holistic education that both parties build their relationship on.
Mr. Adeoye Adepoju, ICAST Headmaster.
Revealing one of the strategies which has served the school well and, which of course, gives unique brand to the school, the Headmaster of the primary section, Mr. Adeoye Adepoju disclosed that the secret is in their curriculum which according to him was designed to prepare their students to fit in anywhere standard and holistic primary education is being taught. In his words, “our pupils get on well in any environment they find themselves because our teaching methods and scheme covers what operates in any standard school so parents don’t need to bother if they have to relocate”.
He argued further, “our pupils have good command of English as they pronounce with right dictions and intonation. Spellings is also taught with the aid of Scrabble”. Mr. Adeoye concluded by saying that “extra -curricular activities are also in place for our pupils physical development with the recent introduction of BALLET dance. We also have standard sporting facilities and well equipped computer room where our pupils are tutored with CBT”.
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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