Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to revitalising the education sector through massive infrastructure investments, improved student welfare, and renewed emphasis on technical and vocational training.
Speaking at a meeting with student leaders from various tertiary institutions in Akure, Aiyedatiwa commended the students for maintaining peace and order, noting that their cooperation had brought unprecedented stability to the state’s education system. He praised their maturity and engagement, highlighting the absence of unrest since his assumption of office.
Acknowledging the economic challenges citizens face due to national reforms, the governor assured that the hardship was temporary, adding that the Federal Government’s policies were already yielding results that would strengthen the economy.
He reaffirmed that education remains central to his administration’s development agenda, citing ongoing projects aimed at improving learning environments and ensuring student safety. Aiyedatiwa mentioned the reconstruction of the Akungba–Ikare road as a project inspired by student and community safety concerns.
“We had to reconstruct that road because of the high rate of accidents near Akungba University. It’s a technical road, but we’ve started it and we will complete it,” he stated.
Beyond infrastructure, the governor said the state was seeking partnerships to address accommodation challenges, noting that public funds alone could not meet all educational needs. He encouraged private investors to build student hostels within and around campuses to enhance security and provide affordable housing.
Aiyedatiwa also promised to intervene in the electricity crisis at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), pledging to engage relevant agencies to restore power and boost academic productivity.
To ease student transportation, he announced the approval of five new buses for tertiary institutions, with plans to provide more in the coming months.
He further emphasized the government’s renewed focus on technical and vocational education, describing it as a key pillar for Ondo State’s industrial future. According to him, new industries would require skilled manpower, and the state was preparing its youths to seize these emerging opportunities.
“We are paying more attention to technical education. Investors are coming, and they will need skilled labour. We want our students to be ready to take advantage of these opportunities,” he added.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to youth development, stressing that his government sees young people as partners in progress rather than subjects of control.
“Education remains the bedrock of development. We will keep investing in our schools and in our students, because the future of Ondo State depends on them,” he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Segun Omoyofunmi, described the governor as a “listening leader” who genuinely engages youths for development. He praised Aiyedatiwa for doubling bursary and scholarship payments and introducing the state’s under-17 football competition as part of broader youth empowerment.
Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Affairs, Comrade Kelvin Solomon Olaolu (KSO), lauded the governor’s “calm but effective leadership,” which has maintained peace within the student community.
Student leaders also used the occasion to highlight key issues affecting tertiary institutions, including transportation, accommodation, electricity, and security.
Comrade Martins Ayemoluwa, President of the Niger Delta Students’ Union, urged the government to see the Niger Delta as a hub for innovation and invest in renewable energy and marine science initiatives.
The Chairperson of the National Female Students Association of Nigeria (NAFSAN), Ondo chapter, Comrade Precious Ikuenomore, appealed for improved safety for female students, particularly those living far from campus.
NANS JCC Chairman, Comrade Mayomi Adekanye, and NAOSS President, Comrade Temitope Alade, commended the governor’s developmental strides but urged consistent attention to student needs, including campus security outposts and the revival of NDDC scholarships.
NAUS Chairman, Comrade Adegoriola Abejoye, praised the administration for fulfilling about 80 percent of its past promises and called for faster delivery of buses, more road repairs, and job opportunities for student stakeholders.
Present at the meeting were the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo (SAN); and other senior aides.
