TINUBU SIGNS BILL ESTABLISHING FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY ILARO

TINUBU SIGNS BILL ESTABLISHING FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY ILARO

Ogun West Gets First Federal University as Polytechnic Ilaro is Upgraded

In a historic move for educational development in Ogun State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed into law the bill establishing the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro (FUTI), effectively transforming the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro into a full-fledged university.

The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a plenary session, where he praised President Tinubu for what he described as a “landmark decision” in advancing Nigeria’s tertiary education under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The bill, which passed its third reading in the National Assembly in October 2024, marks the official conversion of one of Nigeria’s prominent polytechnics into a university of technology, and significantly, establishes the first federal university in Ogun West Senatorial District.

Reacting to the development, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), who sponsored the bill, expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu. In a statement released by his media adviser, Kayode Odunaro, Adeola said the President’s assent to the bill is a testament to his commitment to equitable educational development.

“I want to sincerely appreciate Mr. President for hearing the cries of my people in Ogun West. My senatorial district was the only one in Ogun State without a federal university. We are very grateful to the President for seeing the merit in establishing a university of technology in the industrial hub of the state,” Adeola stated.

Senator Adeola also recounted the long journey toward achieving the institution’s upgrade, beginning in 2016 during the 8th National Assembly under Senate President Bukola Saraki. Despite the bill passing in the Senate at that time, it failed to receive concurrence from the House of Representatives.

The legislation was reintroduced in the 9th Senate led by Senator Ahmed Lawan, where it finally received bicameral support, but was not signed into law by then-President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Today, I am glad that in the 10th National Assembly, my dream—dating back nearly a decade—has been realized under President Tinubu. We are forever grateful to the National Assembly and our performing President,” Adeola added.

The establishment of FUT Ilaro is expected to catalyze economic growth, drive innovation, and enhance the human capital of Ogun West and the wider South-West region. Stakeholders across the education sector and the local community have hailed the development as a transformative milestone.

As preparations begin to reposition the new university for academic excellence, attention is now turning to infrastructure, staffing, and curriculum expansion to meet the standards of a modern technology-focused institution.