The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, has promised swift legislative action to upgrade the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH) into a full university.
This assurance followed a formal request from an influential delegation from Igboora. The group visited the Speaker’s office to advocate for the transformation of the college into a dedicated University of Agriculture.
A High-Powered Push for Progress
The delegation was led by the Olu of Igboora, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye, who also serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Oyo State Traditional Council of Obas.
Other key figures in attendance included: Prof. Akintola Akinlabi: Rector of OYSCATECH; Pastor Alex Oladeji, President of the Igboora Progressive Union; Hon. Peter Ojedokun, Representative for Ibarapa North/Central State Constituency; Hon. Adeleke Olusola, Chairman of Ibarapa Central LG.
The group presented a compelling case for the upgrade. They argued that the Ibarapa zone is currently the only region in Oyo State without a university. By converting OYSCATECH, the government would fix this educational imbalance.
Ready for the Big Leap
The delegation highlighted that the institution is not starting from scratch. OYSCATECH already boasts a massive landmass of about 4,000 hectares and a strong workforce of over 500 staff.
Furthermore, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has already approved 16 degree programmes for the college. These are currently run in affiliation with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).
The community is also ready to chip in. Over 70 local professors and senior academics have pledged to support the new university, many offering their expertise on a pro bono basis.
The Legislative Path Forward
Speaker Ogundoyin described the request as “laudable” and noted it fits perfectly with the state’s goal to expand access to quality higher education.
To make this a reality, the Speaker outlined a clear roadmap:
- A Formal Motion: The House will first raise a motion on the floor.
- New Legislation: A fresh bill will be introduced to provide legal backing for the university.
- Repealing Old Laws: The current law that established OYSCATECH will be repealed to make way for the new university framework.
Ogundoyin assured the visitors that the House would follow due process to ensure the transition is smooth and legally sound.
