Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has announced plans to set up a special intervention fund to address infrastructure and academic gaps at the College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin, a campus of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
The governor made the announcement on Saturday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. He said the intervention would cover key needs, including students’ and lecturers’ accommodation, an Information Technology centre, a healthcare facility and buses to improve mobility within and around the campus.
Makinde disclosed that the state government had so far invested about N15 billion in the Iseyin campus, stressing that his administration would continue to take necessary steps to ensure the institution thrives.
While addressing concerns raised by stakeholders, the governor warned students, staff and members of the host community against indiscipline and actions capable of compounding the challenges of the relatively new campus.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to the education sector, urging students and lecturers to engage the government through dialogue rather than protests, which he said often lead to vandalism.
“For the Iseyin Campus, I am prepared to put in a special intervention fund to hasten your settling down as quickly as possible,” Makinde said.
“I want the Vice-Chancellor to, within a week, give me a list of the things needed by the campus. Let everyone sign—the students, the lecturers and all stakeholders—and we will put up an intervention fund for the campus. This will be a special intervention from the Oyo State Government, and we should be able to conclude on that within the next two weeks.”
Describing his government as a listening administration, the governor assured students that their concerns would be addressed through engagement and constructive discussions.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of LAUTECH Governing Council, Prof. Ayodeji Omole, commended Makinde for securing Oyo State’s sole ownership of the university and for relocating students of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences from the Ogbomoso campus to Iseyin.
In separate remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rasaq Kalilu; President and Secretary of the Global Alumni Association, Engr. Olalekan Badmus and Prof. Ige Oladiran; and President of the Iseyin Development Union, Alhaji Mubasiru Azeez, praised the governor for resolving the ownership crisis and establishing the college in Iseyin. They appealed for further support through the provision of critical facilities.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Mr. Olaobaju Israel thanked the governor for his recent visit to the campus, which he said had resulted in positive developments.
Also speaking, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola, pledged the support of the people of Iseyin for the success of the university, while cautioning students against actions that could lead to unrest or destruction of property.
The meeting was attended by top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; and several commissioners, advisers and local government officials.
