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TechU is A Product of PPP, Subscriptions & Stakeholders Contributions, says Ajimobi.
OYO State governor, Abiola Ajimobi on Tuesday disclosed that the success of The Technical University, Ibadan was anchored upon stakeholders’ contributions and subscriptions by lovers of education as well as Public-Private Partnership.
The Governor said this at the official commissioning and handover of the Central Bank of Nigerian intervention projects at the State-owned TechU which consisted of a Central e-Library space for 500 students, 10 offices, 12 units of toilet facilities as well as a block of 24 lecture rooms which has 11 Administrative offices, furniture, borehole, a 500KVA Generating set, street lights, CCTV cameras, air conditioners and additional toilets facilities for male and female students.
Governor Ajimobi, while speaking at the event, stated that his administration’s desire for a world-class Technical University was in the tradition of innovation and excellence pioneered by forebears of the State, adding that the university is founded on the principle of unique innovation, research collaboration, exceptional service and excellence.
“We are indeed very happy that the apex bank has gone beyond its statutory fiscal and financial responsibilities to support this critical investment and the future of our state and country. We are not unmindful of the challenges of financing tertiary institutions by government in Nigeria today due to the current economic reality.
“We have taken numerous financial initiatives to fund tertiary education in the State, it has been challenging ensuring the self-sustainability of the institutions and in order to avert this unpleasant experience, The Technical University, Ibadan is conceived as a public-private initiative where self-sufficiency through partnership, subscriptions and stakeholder contributions, locally and internationally shall be entrenched.
“TechU is therefore an initiative of the Oyo State government of Nigeria to continue in the tradition of innovation and excellence pioneered by our pathfinders. It is founded on the principle of unique innovation, research collaboration, exceptional service, integrity, excellence and uplifting of the human condition, knowledge, skill, classroom/industry and theory/practical.
“We are therefore committed to the efficient and responsible use of science, technology, engineering, innovation in solving societal problems,” the governor said.
Ajimobi further explained that the University can boast of having the best hands in its management team as well as academic handlers, adding that the mission of the present administration in the State towards the institution was to cultivate a cadre of technical professionals, with requisite entrepreneurial skills, capable of creating businesses that would provide employment for the youths.
He assured that TechU would produce exceptional graduates who are not only socially conscious but technically competent enough to turn around the fortunes of the State, noting that the institution is committed to offering degree programs of international standard through collaboration with relevant global institutions.
The Governor of Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, who was represented a Deputy, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu at the event commended the State government for its vision in transforming education in the State.
He said it was against the backdrop of the need to bridge the manpower and infrastructural deficits that had accumulated overtime that the Central Bank of Nigeria started its education intervention programs throughout the country.
Adelabu said the monetary institution recognized Oyo State as the socio – political and intellectual headquarters of the Southwest region as well as its past roles in economic integration of the Southwest of Nigeria.
Said he, “Having recognized Ibadan and Oyo State in general as a sociopolitical and educational headquarters of the Southwest region, given its past role in the Southwest regional development and potential role it can still play in the general economic integration of the region.
“There is no gainsaying the fact education is the bedrock for development and lifting people out of poverty, Nigeria is experiencing an acute shortage of high quality and world class educational institutions, our primary mandate at the Central Bank of Nigeria apart from fiscal policy is to intervene regularly in the critical sectors of the economy of which education is one, to bridge manpower and infrastructural deficits accumulated overtime,” Adelabu explained.
The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, in his welcome address, said that the unique idea behind the Technical University was to produce graduates who could turn theory to practice in order to create jobs.
Olowofela said Tech-U was formally recognized by the National Universities Commission (NUC) on 7th December 2012 as the 30th State-owned University in Nigeria with the information that the University would provide succour for parents who sent their wards abroad for higher education.
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Olubadan-in-council who represented the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji (Aje Oguguluso 1), Onpetu of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oladapo, Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba (Dr) Abdulganiy Adekunle Oloogunebi (Ajinese 1), Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola all praised the ingenuity of the State administration towards revamping education and positioning the Technical University towards creating technical and commercial growth of the State and Nigeria as a whole.
The intervention approach of the apex bank consists of an administrative block of classrooms that consisted of 24 lecture rooms, offices and furniture, a fully air-conditioned and furnished library complex for about 500 students, 10 offices, 12 units of toilet facilities and a complete e-library.
It also included a borehole with ground and overhead water tank, a 500kva generator set, streetlights, CCTV cameras, conditioners and additional toilets facilities for male and female students.
Photo credit : Tolani Alli.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has mourned the death of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Akeem Abimbola Oladipupo, popularly known as Able, describing his demise as a painful loss to the progressive family.
Oladipupo, who represented Ibadan North-West Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, was widely regarded as a grassroots politician and committed party loyalist until his passing.
Oseni, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency and the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, said the late politician’s death had created a vacuum within the party and among those who benefitted from his unwavering commitment to public service.
In a condolence statement issued on Monday by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the federal lawmaker described the late Oladipupo as a dependable progressive, humble political actor and loyal party stalwart whose impact would remain indelible.
He said the deceased dedicated his life to serving humanity, strengthening the progressive movement and supporting the aspirations of many at the grassroots.
Oseni said, “The death of Hon. Akeem Abimbola Oladipupo (Able) came to me as a rude shock. Oyo State and the progressive family have indeed lost a committed, loyal and selfless leader whose passion for service, humility and dedication to the people stood him out.
“He was not just a politician but a bridge-builder, a dependable ally and a grassroots mobiliser who believed strongly in the ideals of our great party. His contributions to the growth of the APC in Oyo State and his service to humanity will remain unforgettable.”
The APC senatorial candidate noted that the late former lawmaker remained steadfast in promoting peace, unity and political development, adding that his simplicity and accessibility endeared him to many across political divides.
According to Oseni, the late politician’s legacy of service and sacrifice would continue to inspire younger politicians and party faithful.
He, however, urged members of the APC, associates and family members of the deceased to take solace in the remarkable life he lived and the positive impact he made during his lifetime.
Oseni also prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and for God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
State governors have proposed a new national minimum wage of N100,000 for Nigerian workers as part of efforts to cushion them from the biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), disclosed the proposal on Saturday in a post by the state government’s official Facebook page. He said the move aims to improve workers’ welfare while ensuring that government finances remain sustainable.
“State governments recognise the urgent need to improve workers’ welfare in response to the current economic realities facing Nigerians,” AbdulRazaq said.
“We are actively engaging with the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that is fair to workers and sustainable for government finances.”
The NGF chairman explained that ongoing discussions are focused on balancing the need to boost workers’ purchasing power with the capacity of governments to deliver essential public services and development projects.
“The goal is to improve the living conditions of workers while ensuring that states can continue to meet their obligations and sustain projects that directly impact citizens,” he added.
The proposed N100,000 minimum wage is expected to intensify national debates on salaries, inflation, and broader economic reforms as Nigerians continue to contend with rising food prices, transportation costs, and other living expenses.
Currently, Nigeria’s statutory minimum wage stands at N70,000 per month. Some states, including Lagos, Rivers, and Imo, are already paying above the national benchmark to support workers amid the country’s economic challenges.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has continued to call for a comprehensive review of salaries, insisting that workers deserve a living wage that reflects present-day economic realities rather than merely guaranteeing survival.
The average retail price paid by consumers for Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, rose to N1,532.93 per litre in April 2026, representing a 23.69 per cent increase compared to the N1,239.33 recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, findings by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have shown.
The sharp rise in petrol prices came amid mounting inflationary pressure and worsening living costs, with Nigerians grappling with soaring transportation and food expenses that have continued to shrink household purchasing power.
The NBS disclosed this in its Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch for April 2026, released on Friday.
The report further showed that on a month-on-month basis, petrol prices rose by 18.97 per cent from N1,288.54 recorded in March 2026, underscoring persistent volatility in the downstream petroleum market.
A breakdown of prices across states revealed that Yobe recorded the highest average retail price for petrol at N1,599.05 per litre during the review period.
Edo and Bauchi followed closely with average prices of N1,595.74 and N1,589.07, respectively.
However, Niger residents paid the least for petrol at an average of N1,403.89 per litre, while Sokoto and Katsina recorded N1,404.16 and N1,406.28 respectively.
At the zonal level, the South-South recorded the highest average retail price at N1,566.76 per litre, while the North-West posted the lowest at N1,508.81.
The latest petrol price increase comes as millions of Nigerians continue to battle the ripple effects of rising inflation, with higher energy costs worsening transportation fares and the prices of essential commodities.
Similarly, the NBS said the average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, also known as cooking gas, rose by 13.73 per cent month-on-month to N8,706.93 in April 2026 from N7,655.73 recorded in March.
On a year-on-year basis, the price increased by 10.42 per cent from N7,885.60 recorded in April 2025.
Lagos recorded the highest average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N9,745.10, followed by Nasarawa at N9,451.70 and Bayelsa at N9,422.74.
In contrast, Anambra recorded the lowest average price at N7,204.76, while Ondo and Ogun followed with N7,239.49 and N7,825.75, respectively.
At the regional level, the North-West recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N9,025.07, followed by the North-East at N8,847.16, while the South-East posted the lowest average price at N8,224.37.
Also, the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas increased by 13.89 per cent month-on-month to N22,382.20 in April 2026 from N19,652.83 in March.
Compared to April 2025, the price rose by 10.43 per cent from N20,268.06.
According to the NBS LPG Price Watch for April, Katsina recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder at N25,596.71, followed by Kogi at N24,558.25 and Gombe at N24,438.97.
Ogun recorded the lowest average price at N19,564.36, while Bauchi and Anambra followed at N20,178.87 and N20,511.90 respectively.
The North-West recorded the highest zonal average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder at N23,276.95, followed by the North-Central at N22,865.29, while the South-East posted the lowest average at N21,060.92.
The latest figures signal growing pressure on household energy costs, raising concerns over the implications for inflation and the cost of living in the coming months.
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