The approval by the Ondo State Executive Council to convert Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), into the University of Agricultural Science and Technology has been hailed as a monumental step for education and socio-economic development in Owo kingdom and the state. The Owo Youth General Assembly (OYGA) stated that this decision will significantly reshape the state’s educational landscape.
In a statement released to journalists on Wednesday, the youth body emphasized that the move positions Owo as a hub for agricultural research, scientific innovation, and technological advancement. Describing it as a crucial educational policy decision in recent years, the group commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his statesmanship and dedication to advancing higher education.
The statement, signed by OYGA President Comrade Temidayo Obadaye, noted that the governor’s action fulfilled a long-standing aspiration of the Owo Kingdom and demonstrated a deliberate commitment to institutional development, human capital enhancement, and sustainable economic transformation. “The approval granted by the State Executive Council represents far more than an administrative decision. It is a historic intervention that will undoubtedly expand educational opportunities, stimulate research and innovation, attract investments, and accelerate socio-economic development within and beyond Ondo State,” the statement read.
While lauding Aiyedatiwa for this landmark achievement, the Assembly urged him to immediately begin the next phase of the conversion process by transmitting the necessary executive bill to the Ondo State House of Assembly for expeditious legislative consideration and passage. The youth body maintained that prompt legislative action would provide the statutory and legal framework required for the formal establishment and operation of the institution as a university.
The Assembly further appealed to the governor to facilitate immediate engagement with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to secure all requisite approvals, accreditations, and certifications necessary for the institution’s operational take-off. “It is our considered view that all administrative, regulatory, and statutory processes should be pursued with utmost urgency to ensure that this noble vision does not suffer avoidable delays occasioned by bureaucratic bottlenecks,” the statement added.
The OYGA also advocated for the immediate appointment of principal officers for the proposed university, including the vice-chancellor, registrar, bursar, and university librarian, noting that early constitution of the institution’s administrative machinery would enhance planning, coordination, and seamless commencement of academic activities. The Assembly congratulated the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, for his advocacy and commitment to the growth and development of the Owo kingdom.
