The Oyo State Government has announced the postponement of the formal take-off of its Technical University, Ibadan, attributing it to the security situation in the country.
The development was announced at a joint press conference held at the State Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Ibadan by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Ismael Alli and the Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi.
It would be recalled that the university, established by the state government, had hither to been scheduled to formally take-off with the admission of its new set of students in September 2014.
However, the SSG, at the press briefing, said that the institution would not be able to commence academic activities in September 2014 as earlier scheduled due to the recent upsurge and spread of insurgency resulting in general insecurity across the country.
He said that all the necessary arrangements had been put in place towards the take-off of the university in September part of which he said was the arrival of advance parties of the partner institution, that is, the Texas Technical University of the United States of America in April this year.
Mr. Alli, however, said that the advance parties were recalled by the partner institution in USA towards the end of last month, thus necessitating the shift in the take-off of the institution.
“We have mutually agreed to watch the security development until January next year when we would review the situation and determine an appropriate take-off date,’’ the SSG said, adding, however, that the infrastructural development currently going on in the campuses of the university at Ajoda New Town, Egbeda and on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway would go on unhindered.
Also speaking, Prof. Afolabi assured that the university would rank among the best in the world, given the arrangement being put in place by both the state government and the Technical University of Texas to provide an exceptional educational experience for students as well as ambience for teaching and learning.
Prof. Afolabi, a former Head of Service of the Federation, said that the university would be run on a public-private partnership (PPP) which he said would enhance its sustainability and make it distinct from other universities in Nigeria.
