By Adedotun Ajayi 

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing the education sector, with a focus on infrastructural development and academic excellence.

The governor made this pledge during the 3rd Convocation Ceremony of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, held on Tuesday.

Addressing the gathering of graduating students, faculty members, and dignitaries, Aiyedatiwa stressed the pivotal role of quality education in societal advancement.

He assured that his government remains committed to transforming the education sector, acknowledging OAUSTECH as a significant institution in the state’s quest for academic excellence and innovation.

The governor outlined several initiatives aimed at boosting the university’s development, including the completion of the Maritime Transport and Logistics Academy at Ugbonla, the accelerated completion of abandoned hostels under the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), and the renovation of ageing infrastructure.

Aiyedatiwa further disclosed ongoing discussions with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to facilitate the completion of its abandoned hostel projects, which would improve student accommodation.

Highlighting OAUSTECH’s critical role in marine and Blue Economy studies, he noted that the state government’s plan to establish a deep-sea port would not only enhance economic growth but also position Ondo State as a strategic maritime hub.

The governor commended the leadership of the university, led by Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Temi Emmanuel Ologunorisa, for the institution’s remarkable growth, particularly the surge in student enrollment from 400 in the 2020/2021 academic session to 2,800 in the 2024/2025 session.

He praised the institution’s faculty for their contributions to global academic recognition, acknowledging Dr. Bartholomew Adeleke’s ranking among the top two percent of scientists worldwide by Elsevier and Stanford University, as well as Dr. Alaba Joseph Adebayo’s 2025 Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences (NSPS) Best PhD Thesis Prize in Chemistry.

The governor urged the graduating students to pursue lifelong learning, innovation, and excellence as they step into the next phase of their careers.

He also expressed appreciation to parents and stakeholders for their unwavering commitment to advancing education in the state.

Vice-Chancellor Ologunorisa, in his remarks, thanked Aiyedatiwa for his support and reaffirmed the university’s dedication to sustained academic progress.

A total of 995 students graduated at the ceremony, with 31 of them earning First Class honours.