NIGERIA: Ogun Gov Announces ₦2b Intervention, ₦2.5M Reward For MAPOLY Best Graduates

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has announced a ₦2 billion intervention fund for infrastructural development 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.

Governor Abiodun announced on Tuesday during the 15th combined convocation ceremony of the polytechnic, which covered nine academic sessions.

He noted that the decision of the immediate past administration to relocate the polytechnic to Ipokia under a new name had negatively affected the institution, reducing student enrollment from 30,000 to 5,000.

He stated that the current administration had since worked to restore MAPOLY to its former standard, increasing the student population to about 13,000.

The governor said: “As part of our continued commitment to the development of education in Ogun State, we are investing ₦2 billion in the construction of key infrastructure here at MAPOLY,”

The planned projects include a 500-seater ultra-modern lecture theatre, a new road to the polytechnic auditorium, a modern library, a new building for the Accountancy Department, and several other road projects.

Governor Abiodun also announced a cash reward of ₦2.5 million each for the best-graduating student from each academic session between 2015 and 2024.

“To the graduating students, I encourage you to be daring, innovative, and resilient. Use the knowledge gained from this institution to make a positive impact on your immediate environment and the world at large,” he said.

In his remarks, the Rector of MAPOLY, Dr Babatunde Jolaoso, stated that his administration had ensured peace and stability on campus.

He highlighted achievements such as securing full transmission rights for the 99.7FM MAPOLY Campus Radio and the clearance of a ₦76 million debt owed to a commercial bank.

Dr Jolaoso, however, appealed to the state government for additional funding to support accreditation exercises, complete the abandoned student hostel project, and construct more lecture rooms and internal roads.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Emeritus Professor Kamaldeen Balogun, appreciated the governor’s intervention and described it as timely and impactful.

The convocation lecture, titled “Diaspora Perspectives and the Influence of STEM in the Globalised World of Today,” was delivered by the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

In her speech, she urged youths who intend to migrate to do so legally and encouraged the institution to explore partnerships with Nigerians in the diaspora.

Over 51,000 students graduated during the combined convocation ceremony.