Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said the request by state to the Federal Government to turn the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) into a federal institution was for fair distribution of federal universities in the state.
TASUED, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, was established by the Ogun State government in 2005.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen in Abeokuta on Wednesday, Abiodun said the move was to ensure balance in the distribution of federal educational institutions in the state and also attract more funding so as to make it a model centre of academic excellence in the country.
Governor Abiodun said: “When I assumed office, I stated that we would be fair, just and equitable.
“But when you look at the balance of these institutions, particularly federal institutions, you realise that it is ideal to have a federal institution in that particularly district in addition to the existing ones in the other districts.
“I know that because of the paucity of funds, it is not easy for the Federal Government to start a greenfield institution.
“So, I looked around and thought it would be best to present a request to our president to take over one of our foremost institutions in Ogun East Senatorial District.
“This way, beyond the Federal Government Girls’ College, Sagamu, and the Federal Government College, Odogbolu, Ogun East can also have a tertiary institution that is owned by the Federal Government.
“This is particularly knowing full well that our foremost educationist, Dr. Tai Solarin and the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, are from that part of Ogun State.”
The governor gave the details of the events that led to the takeover of the university.
He disclosed that he and his team, after thorough searches, picked TASUED and presented the idea to the Federal Government last July through the Minister of Education who, he said, carried out due diligence before passing the memo to President Bola Tinubu for approval.
Abiodun added that the takeover of TASUED was beyond any parochial interest, noting that the national outlook of the institution would serve the educational needs of, not only the citizens of Ogun State, but Nigeria as a whole.
“I conferred with my team and we decided to present TASUED to Mr. President for adoption.
“The reason is not far-fetched; besides the fact that it is located in Ogun East, it is also the premier university of education named after one of the foremost educationists in Nigeria,” Abiodun stated.
The governor emphasised that the takeover of TASUED was not accidental, as he disclosed that a lot of work went into it.
“This did not happen by accident; it was intentional, deliberate and purposeful. We asked for it and Mr. President, in his magnanimity, saw with us, accepted and granted us the approval for this institution to become a federal institution,” he added.
The governor assured the president and the Federal Ministry of Education that they were inheriting a standard and first-class university that his administration has continued to nurture and sustain since it came on board in 2019.
“I can confidently say that what they have adopted is perhaps one of the best universities in this country because we ensured that we provided that university with support so that it continues to occupy its pride of place among the comity of universities.
“On behalf of the entire people of Ogun State, on behalf of the Awujale, who has also been desirous of a federal tertiary institution in Ogun East, on behalf of all that Dr Tai Solarin stood for and on behalf of what Chief Obafemi Awolowo fought for, which gave us a head start in the South-West and allowed most of us to be educated, I want to thank Mr. President for accepting to adopt this university,” he added.
Governor Abiodun paid glowing tributes to the initiator of free education scheme in the old Western Region, the late Chief Awolowo, who democratised education for all, despite the fact that he was from Ogun East Senatorial District of the state.
He also lauded the late educationist whom the school was named after, Dr Solarin, saying he was a national figure and an icon from Ogun East who used his God-given knowledge to bring quality education to the doorsteps of all Nigerians, irrespective of their state of origin or religion.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, said the takeover of TASUED would give it more leverage in terms of access to more funds, facilities and manpower.
“The takeover will provide the university with more opportunities to blossom. There will be more developments.
“The institution will receive more Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) every year, which means that TASUED will be able to devote more resources to research and other aspects of educational development.
“It is a welcome development for us in Ogun State. It is a welcome development for the university education sector, as TASUED is a referral institution when it comes to education in the areas of teaching, learning and more,” he said.
The commissioner advised the institution to focus on its core mandates by becoming a centre of excellence capable of providing solutions to issues affecting educational development.
He noted that the whole nation would look up to TASUED as a reference point, providing direction on policies and programmes on education.
