Youths in Ipokia, Ogun State, have called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to revive the abandoned Ogun State Polytechnic, which was established in their community by former Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
Holding placards, the youths urged Abiodun to fulfill his promise of providing Ipokia with a reputable higher institution by utilizing the structures built by the previous administration.
In 2017, Amosun relocated Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) from Abeokuta to Ipokia as part of plans to upgrade it into a university. Several buildings, including classrooms, administrative blocks, hostels, and lecture theatres, were constructed but left incomplete. However, when Abiodun assumed office, he reversed the relocation, restoring MAPOLY to Abeokuta, leaving the Ipokia campus abandoned.
During a visit to the site, our correspondents observed extensive decay. Roofs and ceilings were collapsing, while suspected criminals and destitute individuals had turned the structures into hideouts. Some classrooms bore evidence of human waste, and overgrown bushes had forced locals to convert parts of the land into farms.
Addressing the press on Thursday, Chairman of the Ipokia Youth Development Council, Tunji Idowu, reminded the governor that the institution had long been a beacon of hope for the community.
"The presence of a higher education institution in Ipokia will boost education, spur economic development, create jobs, and foster innovation. Yet, despite the efforts of the last administration, the institution's take-off has been repeatedly delayed, leaving aspiring students disheartened," he said.
Idowu also recalled Abiodun’s previous visits and promises. In July 2021, the governor confirmed an inter-ministerial committee had assessed the structures, acknowledging the presence of a 750-seater hall, two 300-capacity lecture theatres, two hostels, an administrative building, and classrooms. In January 2023, during another visit, Abiodun pledged to ensure the institution's commencement, stating Ipokia deserved more than a polytechnic.
"Your Excellency, the people of Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye will never forget Chief Olabisi Onabanjo for Olabisi Onabanjo University, just as Ijebu Ode remembers Otunba Gbenga Daniel for Tai Solarin University of Education. If you fulfill your promise, your name will be written in gold," Idowu stated.
He urged the governor to prevent the billions of state funds already invested from going to waste and to prioritize the school’s commencement.
Supporting the call, Dr. Yakub Oyebo, a lecturer at Lagos State University and an Ipokia indigene, stressed that many local youths struggle to access higher education due to the cost of relocating to other cities.
Similarly, the Deputy Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Ogun State, Kafilat Adeoye, appealed to Abiodun to fulfill his campaign promise, emphasizing that "government is a continuum."
When contacted, Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, requested a text message but had not responded at the time of filing this report
