The Oyo State House of Assembly has appealed to the state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to release the promised ₦500 million to the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University in 2024.
The House also urged the governor to include the university in the payment of monthly subvention from January 2026 to sustain its operations.
The appeals were contained in a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Ibadan South West state constituency 2, Hon. Oluwafemi Fowokanmi and seconded by Hon. Babajide Adebayo from Ibadan North constituency 2 on the ‘Need for the Government to Support and Accommodate Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan with Monthly Subvention to Enhance its Academic Performance.
According to the lawmaker, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Tertiary Education, the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University is grappling with inadequate funding to cater for essential infrastructure, staff welfare and to sustain its academic operations.
He noted that the institution chiefly rely on Special Local Government Scholarship Scheme, its internally generated revenue and grants from Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).
Fowokanmi noted that Governor Seyi Makinde has taken the giant step by inaugurating the Governing Council, which will assist in regularizing the process for proper funding of the institution by the state government.
He disclosed that since the announcement of the sum of ₦500 million in 2024 by the government, the money has not been released.
The lawmaker added that the financial burden of the institution has been increased with announcement and approved new minimum wage, which has made the institution to start taking bank loans to meet up with staff payments and other financial responsibilities.
Also speaking on the motion, the lawmaker representing Egbeda state constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Sunkanmi Babalola, appreciated the efforts of the present administration on the university in terms of road network, perimeter fence and street lights, which he said have contributed to its physical outlook.
Emphasizing on the recent achievement recorded by the institution at the global stage, the lawmaker said that release of fund and its inclusion in the monthly subvention would give the university ability to expand its facilities, retain qualified personnel and provide wider admission opportunities.
While toeing the same line with the mover of the motion and Hon. Babalola on the call inclusion of the institution in the monthly subvention payment like other state-owned tertiary institutions, Hon. Babajide Adebayo also called for the audit of the institution’s account.
Passing the resolutions, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, granted the request by the mover of the motion, Hon. Fowokanmi to allow the House Committee on Tertiary Education to meet with the management of the university.
Hon. Ogundoyin clarified that the purpose of the engagement is to ensure proper audit of the institution’s account, its internal generated revenue and other financial records, as well as other challenges confronting it.
The Speaker noted that the steps will give the House the lead on how to further intervene and provide legislative support on behalf of the institution.
Packaged by Adekunle Adegboyega
