Education
Why Makinde must retain Oyo SGBs policy for education’s sustainable development – Olowofela
SEQUEL to the recent declaration of Engr. Seyi Makinde as the Oyo state governor -elect, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela has observed the need for the incoming government to sustain the School Governing Boards (SGBs) policy for the sustainable development of education in the state.
The Commissioner who made this observation on Wednesday at the commissioning of an ultra – modern science laboratory; a project donated by Prof. Kolawole Adebayo to Oke’badan High School noted that the importance of the provision of adequate facilities in schools cannot be over -emphasized, stressing that the donation of this ultra modern science laboratory will go a long way in adding values, in enhancing the quality of teaching, learning as well as serving as an opening to improving the school in all ramifications.
According to Prof. Olowofela, qualitative education through the provision of the required and adequate teaching and learning facilities has been a great concern to the Abiola Ajimobi led administration, thus, the government lent out her hands of partnership through the School Governing Boards policy (SGBs) by inviting stakeholders comprising of the Parents Forum, the Old Students, Philanthropists among others to contribute their quotas to the development of education sector in the state.
He emphasised further that the state government has been advocating that the responsibility of education lies on all and sundry and “all of us must give back to the system that has produced us”.
“The SGBs policy is a magic wand in the sense that there is really no week in which we have not been invited to come and commission one project or the other for the government.
“Also, the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, (DAWN) Commission has adopted School Governing Boards (SGBs) educational policy by Oyo state government towards enhancing educational development in the South West region.
“In fact, if we sustain this policy, I know that in the next 5 years, the public schools in the state would have changed remarkably. Why we are emphasising this is that our own government is on its way out, but this is a policy that must be sustained so that Oyo state can enjoy rapid infrastructural development and contents delivery in our schools”, Olowofela declared.
While appreciating donors’ previous contributions toward the development of education in the state, the Commissioner specifically lauded Prof. Adebayo for the rare disposition displayed by him in donating “this ultra -modern science laboratory for the use of the current students of the school and for the use of generation of students who are yet unborn “.
He, however implored the teachers to put the facility to optimal use for the benefits of the young ones and ensure that it is well kept and properly maintained.
Also speaking at the event, the donor, Professor Kolawole Adebayo while giving reason for his decision narrated: ” Today, we are giving facilities that you (students) are going to use with the expectation that in future you would also come back and give back to the school.
“My motivation is simple. The only reason I changed to Oke’ Badan High School was that I wanted to study science and at that time the laboratory was not ready in my former school. So, I discussed with my parent that I can’t be a science student if my school does not have a laboratory. My school was in Ijebu and wanted to come to Ibadan because I wanted to study science and I was brought here as a pupil in 1981.
” I was sad therefore, when 3 years ago we had our meeting at Justice Shoremi’s house in Abeokuta and I was told that the laboratory is not functioning. I was sad because that was the reason I came to Ibadan. Then, I have to contribute my widow’s mite.
Appreciating the old students association of the school, Prof. Adebayo also tasked others to contribute their own quota to the development of their alma mater.
Having realized that no government can shoulder the responsibilities of education alone, Governor Abiola Ajimobi had earlier inaugurated the School Governing Boards, (SGBs) in all the 628 Public Secondary Schools in Oyo state.
Interestingly, the Board aims at restoring, transforming and repositioning the education sector has enjoyed the commitment and cooperation of Principals, teachers, old students, parents, philanthropists among others.
The management of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, has scheduled the 2024/2025 matriculation ceremony for Thursday, March 27, 2025.
According to a statement by the University Registrar, Mrs. Olubunmi Siju’ Asunmo, the event will commence at 10:00 a.m. at the University Board of Trustees (BOT) Large Lecture Theatre and will be presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan.
The matriculation lecture will be delivered by Prof. Olatunde O. Fawole, a former Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and former Chairman of the Committee of Provosts and Deans at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso.
The university has urged all stakeholders, including Senate members, management staff, deans, directors, heads of departments, service divisions, faculty officers, and students’ representatives, to be seated by 9:30 a.m. prompt for a smooth event.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that the sale of the 2025 Direct Entry (DE) forms will commence on Wednesday, March 12.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, on Monday. He emphasized that the registration process is essential for individuals with degrees, diplomas, or A-level certificates seeking admission into their preferred universities.
“The initiation of the DE sales follows the successful conclusion of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) application sales, which ended on Saturday, March 8, 2025,” the statement read.
According to JAMB, a total of 2,030,627 candidates registered for the 2025 UTME, with 200,115 participating in the Mock-UTME and 630 in the trial mock examination.
The board warned prospective Direct Entry applicants to ensure they meet all entry requirements, as any false declaration of qualifications would attract serious penalties.
“A special committee will verify all submitted advanced-level qualifications, and any fraudulent results will lead to prosecution. Additionally, institutions are encouraged to directly verify certificates before considering admissions,” the board stated.
JAMB also clarified that registration for the Direct Entry process can only be done at designated JAMB Professional Registration Centres (PRCs).
As the registration date approaches, candidates are advised to adhere to all guidelines and ensure that their credentials are properly verified to avoid disqualification.
The Federal Government has officially adopted the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, as a Federal University of Education. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the transition on Friday, expressing gratitude to the Ogun State Government for inviting the Federal Government to take over one of the state’s most valued educational institutions.
The announcement was contained in a statement released by the Presidency on Sunday, highlighting the significance of TASUED’s transition and its alignment with national educational priorities.
“It is an opportunity for the Federal Government to honour Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who pioneered the revolutionary free education programme in Western Nigeria, and Dr Tai Solarin, who dedicated his life to educating our children and instilling patriotic and leadership values at Mayflower School in Ikenne,” President Tinubu was quoted as saying.
The President further acknowledged the Awujale of Ijebuland’s instrumental role in preventing TASUED’s closure in 2012, just seven years after its establishment. He described the transition as a strategic move aimed at strengthening teacher education and improving instructional quality nationwide.
“With a well-developed infrastructure and academic programme, the transition requires minimal federal investment,” the statement noted.
TASUED, established in 2005 by the Ogun State Government, holds the distinction of being Nigeria’s first specialised university of education. It was named in honour of Dr Tai Solarin, a renowned educationist and social reformer. The institution’s conversion into a federal university marks a historic milestone as the first federal tertiary institution in Ogun East Senatorial District, which includes Ijebu and Remo areas.
With this development, TASUED joins Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, and Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo, as Nigeria’s three federally owned universities dedicated to teacher education. The takeover underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and strengthening the foundation of Nigeria’s teaching workforce.
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