The Oyo State Government has reiterated its commitment to sustaining strategic reforms and investments that will further elevate the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, into a globally competitive center of excellence in innovation, research, and development.
Speaking at the 18th Convocation Ceremony of the university, the Oyo State Governor, His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde, said the state government is deepening efforts to strengthen the institution through deliberate policies, sustained funding, and targeted infrastructure expansion to consolidate long-term academic excellence and institutional growth.
The governor recalled his 2018 pledge to resolve the ownership challenges of the university, noting that the transition to sole ownership by Oyo State has brought stability and improved academic performance.
He stated that the state government has continued to meet its financial obligations under the ownership arrangement and remains committed to clearing all outstanding commitments before the end of the present administration.
He further disclosed that a ₦650 million takeoff grant has been approved for the Teaching and Research Farm at the Iseyin Campus, alongside investments in infrastructure, ICT, healthcare, housing, and mobility support.
He explained that the development of the Iseyin campus aligns with the state’s broader economic agenda on agriculture, food security, youth employment, and agribusiness expansion.
The governor noted that LAUTECH has continued to enjoy stability, uninterrupted academic calendars, and improved stakeholder confidence since the resolution of ownership issues.
He commended the Governing Council, management, staff, and students for sustaining discipline and academic excellence, assuring continued government support for teaching, research, and innovation, and further congratulated the 10,223 graduands who bagged various degrees across disciplines, urging them to remain disciplined, innovative, and solution-driven in their future endeavors.
He said, “Education remains a key investment that drives development and prosperity.
“We will continue to strengthen the university to ensure it competes favorably with leading institutions across Africa and beyond.
In his address, the vice-chancellor of the university, Professor Razaq Olatunde Rom Kalilu, described the convocation as a milestone in the history of the institution, noting steady growth in academic and research activities.
He said LAUTECH continues to maintain its standard as a center of excellence in teaching and research, adding that the university remains committed to producing graduates with knowledge, skills, and character for global relevance.
The vice-chancellor disclosed that 10,223 students bagged degrees across 11 faculties, with 137 graduating with first-class honors. stressing that Oladepo Caleb Olugbenga of the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering emerged as the overall best graduating student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.89.
He also revealed that the university has strengthened its academic and research capacity through the promotion of 43 professors and the establishment of new research institutes.
Professor Kalilu noted that ongoing investments in infrastructure, research facilities, and digital learning are positioning LAUTECH for greater global recognition.
Packaged by Adekunle Adegboyega
