How Senator Adeseun Secured ₦500m Federal Funding for Oyo Poly
How Senator Adeseun Secured ₦500m Federal Funding for Oyo Poly
By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa
Senator Ayoade Adeseun, an APC chieftain, disclosed that he facilitated ₦500 million in federal funding to establish the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, in Ogbomoso.
He described the project as a deliberate intervention to expand the federal government’s educational presence and promote technical skills within Oyo State.
The concept for the institution began during Adeseun’s first term in the House of Representatives while serving on the Education Committee. A federal study revealed a glaring disparity in the distribution of schools, showing that Oyo State lacked sufficient federal tertiary institutions compared to other states.
Adeseun found the lack of federal educational diversity in the state unacceptable, noting that the University of Ibadan was the only major federal presence at the time.
He reasoned that a conventional university should be complemented by a technically-oriented institution to serve the region’s needs.
The former lawmaker viewed attracting the polytechnic as a core part of his legislative responsibility to his constituents. He stated, “You know the work of a legislator is principally threefold; to legislate, to represent your community by bringing development, and to carry out oversight. So improving the lot of my people was my focus in trying to bring that institution.”
After initial setbacks, Adeseun intensified his efforts during his second term, eventually securing federal approval and a ₦500 million budgetary allocation. He intentionally chose a rural site in Ayede for the campus to drive outward development and decongest the city of Ogbomoso.
His motivation was also rooted in addressing Nigeria’s shortage of technically skilled manpower and reducing reliance on foreign labor for construction and technical jobs.
He emphasized that polytechnic education is vital for the nation to keep pace with a technology-driven global economy.
Established in 2021, the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, is now flourishing and has already graduated two sets of students. Adeseun noted that despite past attempts by some to relocate the school, it remains a successful hub for vocational and entrepreneurial training.
