The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved the process of granting autonomy to the Iseyin Campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), a move that could lead to the establishment of an independent university in the town.
Makinde gave the approval while responding to a request from stakeholders in Iseyin during the commissioning of a school building at LA Primary School, Oke-Esa, Iseyin.
The governor said his administration would take the necessary steps to formalise the process, including submitting applications to the National Universities Commission (NUC) and developing a sustainable operational plan for the proposed institution.
The development followed an appeal by the donor of the school building, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ahmed Raji, who urged the governor to transform the LAUTECH campus into an independent university.
Raji proposed that the institution specialise in agriculture, renewable energy and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), noting that the focus would support education and development in the area.
Explaining the motivation behind the school project, he said the donation was prompted by the deteriorating state of the existing facilities and the need to provide pupils with a more conducive learning environment.
He added that the building was also designed to honour one of Iseyin’s prominent sons, Alhaji Omosalewa Owonikoko, after whom the facility was named.
Community leaders and education stakeholders commended Makinde and Raji for their contributions, expressing their commitment to ensuring that the school building was properly maintained and used for its intended educational purpose.
They also expressed hope that the proposed university would contribute to educational advancement and the development of future generations in Iseyin and its environs.
