The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin has assured stakeholders from Igboora of prompt legislative consideration following a formal request to upgrade the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH) to a full-fledged University of Agriculture.
The assurance was given on Tuesday when a high-powered delegation during from Igboora, led by the Olu of Igboora, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye, who also doubles as the Deputy Chairman of the Oyo State Traditional Council of Obas paid a visit to the Speaker in his office.
The delegation included the Rector of the institution, Prof. Akintola Akinlabi, the President of the Igboora Progressive Union, Pastor Alex Oladeji, and other key stakeholders.
Also present at the meeting was the lawmaker representing Ibarapa North/Central State Constituency, Peter Ojedokun, and the Chairman, Ibarapa Central Local Government, Hon. Adeleke Olusola.
Presenting their proposal, the delegation appealed to the Oyo State House of Assembly to support the transformation of OYSCATECH into the proposed Oyo State University of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora.
They stressed that the move would address the imbalance in the distribution of higher institutions across the state, noting that Ibarapa zone remains the only region without a university.
They further highlighted the institution’s readiness for the upgrade, citing its strong academic workforce of over 500 staff, vast landmass of about 4,000 hectares, and well-developed infrastructure, including six faculties and numerous academic facilities.
According to the delegation, the National Universities Commission had already granted approval for the College to run 16 degree programmes in affiliation with Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, with academic activities already underway.
The stakeholders also pointed to the availability of qualified human resources within Igboora, noting that more than 70 indigenes including professors and senior academics have expressed readiness to support the proposed university, many on a pro bono basis.
Responding, Speaker Ogundoyin described the request as “laudable” and in line with efforts to expand access to quality higher education in Oyo State.
He assured the delegation that the House would act swiftly by raising a motion on the floor, to be followed by the introduction of a bill to give legal backing to the proposed upgrade.
He added that the current law establishing OYSCATECH would need to be repealed to pave the way for the new university framework, assuring that due legislative process would be followed.
