Akeem Lasisi
On its path to the iroko top, Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan, recorded another milestone on Saturday when it graduated 183 students in Engineering and Technology, Natural and Applied Sciences as well as Environmental Sciences and Management.
Fifty of the graduates bagged first class, with the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Adesola Ajayi, revealing the inspiring exploits that many of its alumni now scattered in different parts of the world are making. Elizabeth Ayodele Oladejo also made history by emerging the best graduating student.
As a mark that a greater story awaits the school established by the administration of the late Abiola Ajimobi, the pillars behind it again rose to the occasion of the convocation and renewed their faith in the varsity fondly called Tech-U. Among them were the Oyo State Governor and visitor to the university, Engr Seyi Makinde; Chairman of AMNI Petroleum International and Tech-U Chancellor, Chief Tunde Afolabi MFR; and former First Bank Managing Director, Dr. Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan, the Pro-Chancellor. They all separately saluted the institution and promised to further work for its growth.
Makinde inherited the challenge of continuing to nurture the school that seeks to ‘Developing the Brains, Training Hands’, just as Afolabi has particularly been helping many students through the scholarship his Josephus Foundation initiated at the inception in 2017. On his part, Adeduntan is deploying his rich experience in the private sector to moving Tech-U forward as he was appointed the Council Chairman months back.
During the convocation held in the Varsity’s Library Hall, the fresh graduates glowed with happiness and hope for a fruitful future while their parents and other loved ones were dressed in smiles and fulfilment. Congratulating the graduands, Makinde urged them to “Be curious; courageous, law abiding, embrace challenges; pursue excellence relentlessly; and above all, use your knowledge and good character to impact the world positively. Oyo State and Nigeria look forward to your contributions as innovators, builders, creators, and leaders of tomorrow.”
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Barrister Abdulraheem Adebayo Lawal, urged the fresh alumni to journey into the future with a clearer vision and stronger hope and commitment. This is as he urged the management to take advantage of its strategic location on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
He challenged the Ajayi-led team to fully harness its strategic location within an emerging industrial corridor along the Ibadan end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The governor said the institution’s location offers significant opportunities for strong industry–academia collaboration, especially with ongoing development along the Ibadan Circular Road, stressing the need for partnerships that will deliver research-based solutions for Oyo State and the country.
According to him, the government is sustaining the ALGON Scholarship Programme, allocating a primary health center to serve the university community, and enhancing campus security.
He added that the inclusion of Tech-U in the 2026 State Budget for subvention marks a new phase in the government’s support strategy, with plans for more targeted investments to strengthen the university and ensure a sustainable future.
In his address, the Chancellor, Chief Tunde Afolabi MFR, expressed gratitude to the Visitor for his unwavering support to the university. He acknowledged the government’s reforms in education and strategic interventions in the university, including strengthened security, infrastructure development, and anticipated integration into the 2026 State Budget for subvention.
The Chancellor thanked the Governing Council, ALGON, host communities, and donors for their contributions to the university’s growth.
As ‘The Nation’ also reports, he congratulated the 183 graduands, noting that they have earned degrees in their respective fields, as well as diplomas in French and entrepreneurship, equipping them to be versatile and globally prepared. He advised the graduands to remember that the world rewards competence, creativity, and character, and urged them to carry the university’s name with dignity, solve problems, and create value.
Also in his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan expressed the university’s readiness to partner with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja in driving industrialization, investment, and growth in Ibadanland.
He highlighted the Governing Council’s achievements since April 2025, including successful convocation ceremonies, accreditation of programs, and expansion of academic offerings. He commended the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and Management team for their leadership and commitment to excellence.
To the graduands, he advised them to stay focused, keep learning, and solve problems, noting that the world awaits their ideas, courage, and excellence.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Adesola Ajayi advised the graduands to carry forward the spirit of excellence and integrity, remain adaptable, innovative, and courageous, and live a life of purpose and impact, reminding them that their education is a privilege that carries with it a responsibility to add value to their community, uplift others, and contribute meaningfully to the progress of the nation and the world.
He further encouraged them to stay connected to their alma mater, continue learning, and uphold the ideals that have shaped them.
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the challenges facing the university, including inadequate physical infrastructure, insufficient funding for research and innovation, shortage of senior academic staff, limited student hostels and social amenities, and the need for strengthened digital and technological infrastructure.
He appealed to the government for support, including dedicated capital project intervention, special funding for research infrastructure, support for student hostel development, provision of sustainable digital infrastructure, and a more stable funding framework to ensure institutional stability and long-term sustainability
