The Ogun State Government has rolled out a N2 billion intervention fund targeted at revitalising key infrastructure at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Ojere, in what Governor Dapo Abiodun described as part of his administration’s ongoing efforts to restore the institution’s lost glory.
Governor Abiodun, who made the announcement during the 15th combined convocation ceremony of the polytechnic on Tuesday, also disclosed a cash reward of N2.5 million each for the best graduating students from the 2015/2016 to the 2023/2024 academic sessions.
Speaking before graduands, academic leaders, government officials and well-wishers, the governor took a reflective stance on the institution’s past struggles, tracing its decline to the controversial relocation of the school to Ipokia during the tenure of former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, a move that included a change of name to Ogun State Polytechnic.
He said, “The challenge of returning the institution to its path of glorious past was one of the early challenges my administration had to crack.”
Governor Abiodun noted that the once-thriving school, which had a student population of nearly 30,000, witnessed a steep decline to around 5,000 students following the relocation, but that recent interventions have seen enrollment rebound to about 13,000 students.
He attributed this turnaround to a series of engagements with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the efforts of a dedicated fact-finding committee.
“We shall be building a 500-seater ultramodern lecture theatre, constructing the road leading to the auditorium, developing a modern, well-equipped library, building a new accountancy department block, and embarking on other road projects within the polytechnic. All of these interventions stand at N2bn,” the governor said.
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While encouraging the 51,000 graduating students of MAPOLY, Governor Abiodun charged them to be innovative and resilient.
He said, “To the graduating students, the future may have its challenges, but it also holds endless possibilities. You must therefore be daring, innovative and resilient.
“Let the knowledge and values you acquired here in the polytechnic be your driving force to be change agents. Go forth and make a difference, go and impact your immediate environment, the state, the country, the world at large and forever be a proud ambassador of this great institution.”
On the prize awards, he said, “For the best graduating student for each session, there is also a cash prize of N2.5m.”
In his address, the Rector of MAPOLY, Dr Babatunde Jolaoso, expressed appreciation to the governor for his timely interventions and described his own administration’s six-month tenure as one that has “fostered an atmosphere of peace, stability, and mutual understanding” between staff and students.
The Rector further revealed that the school had recently secured full broadcast transmission rights from the National Broadcasting Commission for 99.7FM MAPOLY Campus Radio, and had also cleared a N76 million longstanding debt owed to a commercial bank.
He, however, used the opportunity to appeal to the state government for additional support in areas such as the completion of abandoned student hostels, construction of lecture halls, internal road networks, and funding for upcoming accreditation exercises.
The Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council, Emeritus Professor Kamaldeen Balogun, commended Governor Abiodun for providing the much-needed leadership and direction that has helped redefine the school’s academic trajectory.
Delivering the convocation lecture titled “Diaspora Perspectives And The Influence Of STEM In The Globalised World of Today”, Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), urged young Nigerians to migrate legally and avoid the tragic consequences of irregular migration.
She recounted disturbing experiences of Nigerians who had ended up in slavery or prostitution in foreign lands due to illegal migration routes.
Dr Dabiri-Erewa also encouraged institutions like MAPOLY to establish frameworks that allow them to collaborate with Nigerians in the diaspora, noting that such partnerships can foster growth, exchange opportunities, and resource mobilisation.
