LAUTECH: Why we agreed to Oyo sole ownership - Prof Olu Aina
…as 2,582 bags higher degrees at 18th Convocation The Chairman, Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Olu Aina, has recounted the quiet diplomacy that ended the protracted
…as 2,582 bags higher degrees at 18th Convocation
The Chairman, Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Olu Aina, has recounted the quiet diplomacy that ended the protracted ownership dispute between Oyo and Osun states over Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
The Emeritus Professor who served as. The Chairman of the Osun State team in the ownership negotiations maintained that the team he worked with did what was right and would do it again if called upon.
Speaking during the 18th convocation ceremony of the university, Prof Aina, who was conferred the Distinguished Doctor of Letters honorary award at the event, recalled how he accepted the assignment to return to LAUTECH as part of a team mandated to end the quarrel between the two owner states over the institution.
He disclosed that he had confronted the then-Governor of Osun State directly, asking what the fight was about while also demanding a free hand to work.
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He said, "Let me share some of the thoughts that guided me when I accepted that assignment. It was to return to LAUTECH, to see, and to be part of a team that would end the quarrel between Oyo and Osun. I am glad your current Pro-Chancellor and Professor Sangodoyin were on that team.
"To return to LAUTECH, to see, and to be part of a team that would end the quarrel between Oyo and Osun over a property that is not in its domain. If I were the Governor of Oyo State, I would simply wait patiently for Osun to begin celebrating that award. Then I would revoke the certificate of occupancy, and that would settle the matter.
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"So why not do it peacefully? I am very glad and proud that we did what was right.
"I said to the Governor of Osun State at that time, Governor, what are you fighting for?" He told me what he was fighting for. I asked, "Do you give me a free hand to do this work? He said yes. I said, "I want to have a meeting with you and your cabinet.
"I had never been in the cabinet of any state government before. He invited me to the meeting, and I threw the same question at the members of the cabinet. None of them could answer it. Then I said, "I am going to go there and be part of the team that says that the university actually belongs to Oyo.
"What we should be talking about is how, at what cost, and the welfare of the staff and students who will be affected by the pronouncement. I think we did the right thing. And if we were to do it again, we would do the same thing."
He charged the new graduates admitted to various degrees to mind their character, as their higher qualifications give them certain competencies that open doors.
"I have been part of many graduation ceremonies, so I have a small message for the graduates of this year's ceremony, including myself. I think I can now call myself an alumnus. When you receive higher education, it gives you certain competencies which open doors. But character will keep the doors open. Mind your character.
"Nigeria needs men and women who will choose responsibility over convenience, impact over applause. I encourage those of us graduating today to remain committed to excellence, not as an aspiration, but as a standard.
"I commend the leadership of this institution. And on behalf of my family, who are here in great numbers, and my friends, I accept this honour. Thank you very much."
At the same ceremony, the Visitor to the institution, Governor Seyi Makinde, represented by his deputy, Bayo Lawal, described the convocation as a celebration of resilience, excellence, and fulfilled vision, recalling his 2018 promise to restore LAUTECH to its past glory.
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Lawal told the gathering that the transition to sole ownership did not come easy, noting it came with significant financial obligations, which the Oyo State Government has consistently met through regular payments to Osun State in line with the agreement.
He assured that all outstanding obligations would be fully discharged before the end of the administration. The deputy governor listed other interventions, including an N650 million take-off grant for the Teaching and Research Farm to boost agricultural research and innovation, as well as a special intervention framework to address infrastructure gaps in staff housing, healthcare facilities, ICT development, and mobility support.
Lawal said the state’s vision remains clear, adding that LAUTECH must not only be the best university in Nigeria but also compete favorably with leading institutions across Africa and the world.
He noted that students of the university have distinguished themselves in the past year, winning innovation challenges, excelling in debates, and representing Nigeria on global platforms, evidence, he said, that the vision is already taking shape.
Since the resolution of ownership issues, he added, the university has enjoyed improved stability, uninterrupted academic calendars, and renewed investor confidence. He commended the Governing Council, the Vice-Chancellor, staff, and students for their dedication and discipline in sustaining the upward trajectory.
Earlier in his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Razaq Kalilu, urged the postgraduate graduands to continue to seek knowledge, embrace new challenges, and strive for excellence in everything they do.
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He said, "To our postgraduate graduands, you have reached a milestone thatvrefjects not only intellectual strength but also discipline, sacrifice and unwavering determination. Postgraduate education is not a journey for the faint-hearted. It demands curiosity, courage, and a relentless pursuit of truth.
"We live in a world where knowledge is no longer static. The value of your postgraduate training lies not only in what you know today, but also in your ability to keep learning, unlearning, and relearning.
"You should continue to seek knowledge in everything you do. The world is full of opportunities for you to explore and conquer. We have full confidence that you will carry the values and lessons learned here into the world and make positive contributions."
The Nation reports that at the event, 2,582 individuals were awarded postgraduate diplomas and admitted to various higher degrees.
Of the number, 596 were awarded academic and professional postgraduate diploma in various disciplines, 1,850 were admitted to academic and professional master's degrees, nine were admitted to the Master of Philosophy degree, and 127 were admitted to the Doctor of Philosophy degree.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Ayodeji Omole, said the university has maintained its standing despite operational challenges.
He said, “We have retained our position as the leading state university in Nigeria and remain among the foremost in Africa. But growth comes with pressure, particularly on infrastructure and resources.”
