Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed the reasons behind the state’s request to the Federal Government to turn the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) into a federal institution.
TASUED, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, was established by the Ogun State government in 2005. Abiodun, who spoke during an interview with journalists in Abeokuta on Wednesday, said that the move was meant to not only ensure balance in the distribution of federal educational institutions in the state but also to attract more funding to make it a model centre of academic excellence in the country.
He said: “When I assumed office, I stated that we would be fair, just, and equitable. But when you look at the balance of these institutions, particularly federal institutions, you realise that it is ideal to have a federal institution in that particular district in addition to the existing ones in the other districts.”
“I know that because of the paucity of funds, it is not easy for the federal government to start a greenfield institution, so I looked around and thought it would be best to present a request to the President to take over one of our foremost institutions in Ogun East.
“This way, beyond the Federal Government Girls’ College, Sagamu, and the Federal Government College, Odogbolu, Ogun East can also have a tertiary institution that is owned by the federal government, particularly knowing full well that our foremost educationist, Dr Tai Solarin, and the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, are from that part of Ogun State.”
The governor said that he and his team, after thorough searches, picked TASUED and presented the idea to the federal government in July last year through the Minister of Education, who carried out due diligence before passing the memo to the President for approval. He added that the creation was beyond any paradoxical interest as the national outlook of the institution would serve the educational needs of not only the citizens of Ogun State but also Nigeria as a whole.
He, therefore, assured the President and the Federal Ministry of Education that they were inheriting a standard and first-class university that his administration has continued to nurture and sustain since its inception in 2019.
The governor paid glowing tributes to the initiator of the free education scheme in the old Western Region, the late Awolowo who, he said, democratised education for all, despite the fact that he was from Ogun East Senatorial District of the state.
He also lauded the late educationist, Solarin, whom the school was named after, saying that he was a national figure and an icon from Ogun East Senatorial District who used his God-given knowledge to bring quality education to the doorsteps of all Nigerians irrespective of their state of origin or religion.
Also speaking, the state’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, said the takeover of the school would give it more leverage in terms of access to more funds, facilities, and manpower.
