Makinde Promises Autonomy for LAUTECH Iseyin Campus

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has promised to begin the process of granting autonomy to the Iseyin campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), following a request from stakeholders in the Oke-Ogun zone.

Makinde made the commitment on Wednesday during the commissioning and handover of the Alhaji Kazeem Owonikoko Building at L.A. Primary School, Oke-Esa, Iseyin. The facility was donated to the Oyo State Government by Senior Advocate of Nigeria and President of the Oke-Ogun Development Consultative Forum, Ahmed Raji.

Raji, while commending the Makinde administration for its infrastructure and educational projects across Iseyin and Oke-Ogun, appealed to the governor to transform the LAUTECH Iseyin campus into a full-fledged autonomous university. He specifically highlighted the establishment of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources at the campus as part of the developments in the area.

Responding to the request, Makinde said his administration would commence the necessary process, including an application to the National Universities Commission (NUC) and a sustainability study to determine how the proposed institution can operate effectively.

The governor also praised Raji for the newly donated school building, which features classrooms, offices, solar power, furniture and modern learning facilities. He stressed that government alone could not meet every development need and called on individuals and organisations to complement government efforts in education and community development.

Makinde further highlighted ongoing industrial and infrastructure developments in Iseyin, including the sugar factory near Fasola Farms, which he said was undergoing test running. He linked the improved prospects of the project to the development of road networks connecting Iseyin with other parts of Oyo State.

The proposed autonomy would, however, require the completion of the relevant regulatory and administrative processes before the Iseyin campus can formally operate as an independent university.

The event was attended by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly Adebo Ogundoyin, traditional rulers, government officials and other stakeholders from the Oke-Ogun zone.