ONDO State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, recently announced the approval for the upgrade and conversion of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), to the University of Agriculture and Agribusiness.

THIS decision followed an initial proposal by the previous administrations to upgrade the Polytechnic to a University of Management Science and Technology. RUGIPO was established in 1997 as a Polytechnic, with the mision of becoming a globally recognised technological institution known for quality, relevance, and impact.

ANNOUNCING the conversion of the institution to the University of Agriculture and Agribusiness upon assuming office, Governor Aiyedatiwa stated that the university would serve as a model for the state government’s agricultural and food security revolution initiative.

HE also set up a committee to work out the modalities for implementing the conversion, assuring stakeholders that the transition would not negatively affect the students or staff  members.

IT has been observed that, in recent times, the country’s educational system increasingly favours university graduates over polytechnic graduates.

THIS bias has made it difficult for polytechnics to attract students, as many  polytechnics struggle to sustain operations and generate sufficient Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Some institutions even face paucity of fund, shortage of manpower and infrastructure required for effective teaching and learning.

THE original policy behind polytechnic education in the country was to provide middle-level manpower for the government. Though many parents do not prioritise polytechnic education, it remains the foundation of technical development in the country.

TODAY, however, many Colleges of Education and Polytechnics are being upgraded to degree-awarding institutions, while technical colleges are becoming increasingly scarce.

IF an agriculture-focused institution is well established, it could significantly contribute to the agricultural development of the state. This could enhance the supply of raw materials, improve food security, and position Ondo State as a leading food-producing state in the country.

ADDITIONALLY, the governor recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and a private investor to inject ₦15 billion into a youth-oriented agricultural initiative.

THE MoU formalises an agreement between the government and AgroMall Discovery and Extension Limited for the establishment and operation of the Young Ranchers Agricultural Cluster Development Programme.

UNDER  this initiative, the company will utilise five hectares of land in each of the three clusters in the state, with three higher institutions, including the newly upgraded RUGIPO, serving as host pilot beneficiaries.

THE programme will focus on practical farming for young people and hands-on training for students in agriculture and related fields.

IN addition to students’ training, each of the three host institutions stands to benefit from a share of the proceeds generated by the initiative.

THE Hope commends the state government for this brilliant initiative and believes that if the government’s proposals and plans are well executed, the state should experience significant economic benefits, particularly in terms of increased IGR and overall development.