Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced a ₦2 billion intervention fund to upgrade infrastructure at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Ojere, Abeokuta.
He also awarded ₦2.5 million each to the institution’s best graduating students from the 2015/2016 to 2023/2024 academic sessions.
Speaking during MAPOLY’s 15th combined convocation ceremony, which covered nine academic sessions from 2016 to 2024, Abiodun acknowledged the previous administration’s controversial move to relocate the polytechnic to Ipokia and rename it Ogun State Polytechnic. He described it as a setback for the once-thriving institution.
The governor explained that restoring MAPOLY to its former glory was an early challenge for his administration. With help from a fact-finding committee and repeated engagements with the National Board of Technical Education, the institution was successfully revived.
He shared that the student population had dropped drastically from 30,000 to around 5,000 due to the relocation plan. However, efforts to reposition the school are paying off, with current enrollment climbing back to 13,000.
Abiodun stressed his administration’s commitment to transforming MAPOLY into a hub for human capital development. He listed planned projects under the ₦2 billion intervention, including: A 500-seater modern lecture theatre, a new access road to the auditorium, a fully-equipped modern library, a new building for the Accountancy department and Several internal road projects
In addition to the infrastructure, the governor reaffirmed the ₦2.5 million cash award for the top student of each academic session from 2015/2016 to 2023/2024.
Addressing the 51,000 graduating students, Abiodun urged them to be bold, creative, and resilient. He encouraged them to use the knowledge gained to become agents of change and proud ambassadors of the institution.
MAPOLY’s Rector, Dr. Babatunde Jolaoso, highlighted the achievements of his six-month tenure, which include restoring peace on campus, obtaining full broadcasting rights for the school’s 99.7FM radio station, and clearing a ₦76 million bank debt. He appealed to the state government for more support in completing accreditation processes, hostel construction, lecture rooms, and campus roads.
The institution’s Governing Council Chairman, Emeritus Prof. Kamaldeen Balogun, appreciated the governor’s leadership and commitment to quality education.
Delivering the convocation lecture, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chair of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), cautioned young Nigerians against illegal migration. She stressed the dangers of unregulated travel and advised those intending to relocate abroad to follow legal channels.
She also called on MAPOLY to engage more with Nigerians in the diaspora to unlock new growth and development opportunities for the institution.
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