Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, meets with student leaders of Adekunle Ajasin University, urging private sector collaboration to boost tertiary education development. Photo Credit: Facebook.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has called on private investors and stakeholders to partner with the state government in addressing key challenges facing tertiary education, especially inadequate student accommodation and infrastructure gaps.
The governor made the call during a meeting with representatives of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), held at the Government House in Akure.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa emphasized that education remains central to his administration’s development agenda, but noted that limited public resources make collaboration indispensable.
“The government cannot provide everything. Resources are limited. That’s why we are calling on investors to build hostels for students on or near campuses. It’s a viable venture that will also enhance student security,” he said.
The meeting came days after lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at AAUA urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to intervene and rescue the institution from what they described as “imminent collapse,” citing years of neglect, unpaid salaries, and decaying infrastructure.
Governor Aiyedatiwa commended the AAUA students for maintaining peace and discipline on campus, highlighting that since his assumption of office, there has been no record of unrest or violent agitation within the student community. He attributed this stability to their constructive engagement with government and school authorities.
He further disclosed that the state government is prioritizing technical and vocational education to drive industrial growth and job creation.
“We are paying more attention to technical education. Investors are coming, and they will need skilled labour,” he noted.
The governor also pledged to tackle the electricity challenges affecting the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), assuring that the state is working with relevant agencies to restore stable power supply to boost academic and research productivity.
As part of efforts to enhance student welfare, Aiyedatiwa announced the approval of five new buses for student bodies across tertiary institutions in the state, with more to be provided in subsequent phases. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting education through scholarships, grants, and financial aid.
In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Affairs, Kelvin Olaolu, praised Aiyedatiwa’s leadership for fostering peace and stability in the state’s tertiary institutions.
“In the history of student unionism in this state, we have maintained peace and order because of your leadership style. You have been a father to us, and we appreciate your efforts in increasing bus allocations and extending support to private institutions,” Olaolu said.
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