Senator Adeola’s education projects winning students’ admiration in Ogun

Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, is increasingly earning praise from students who say his education-focused interventions are reshaping campus life and learning conditions across Ogun West and beyond.

Ogun West Senatorial District has remained at the centre of political discussions in the state, especially as the 2027 general elections draw nearer. The district has been in the spotlight largely because it is home to Senator Adeola, who represents Ogun West in the Senate and is also the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the 2027 Ogun governorship election.

Three weeks ago, Western Post reported that Governor Dapo Abiodun announced Senator Adeola’s emergence as the unanimously endorsed consensus candidate during a strategic caucus meeting attended by key APC stakeholders in the state. Since then, conversations around his political future and developmental strides have continued to gain momentum across Ogun State, particularly among youths and students in tertiary institutions.

Observers say the level of grassroots support currently enjoyed by Adeola is unprecedented in recent political history in Ogun State. Across campuses and youth gatherings, many young people have openly praised his emergence, describing it as a reward for years of visible service, accessibility, and commitment to education and youth empowerment.

Babalola Oladapo, a 26-year-old student at Olabisi Onabanjo University, said the senator’s name frequently comes up in discussions among student leaders across institutions in the state. According to him, Adeola’s reputation extends beyond politics into tangible investments in education and welfare.

“I am a student leader in my school, so I regularly interact with student leaders from institutions across Ogun State, including Ogun State Institute of Technology, Tai Solarin University of Education, and the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro. One thing that is always constant in our discussions is the positive impact of Senator Olamilekan Adeola. Students speak highly of his projects, scholarships, and willingness to listen to their concerns. It is rare to find a politician who maintains such a close relationship with young people and students. Many of us see him as someone who truly understands the needs of the youth,” he said.

Ogun West is home to several tertiary institutions, including the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro (now Federal University of Technology, Ilaro) and the Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa. Students across these institutions, in a survey, pointed to various interventions credited to the senator, saying they have improved learning conditions and campus life.

At the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Chibuzor Fidelis, an ND II student of Business Administration and Management, said Adeola’s intervention in educational infrastructure, especially the e-library, has significantly eased academic work.

“The e-library project has been extremely beneficial to students like me. As someone currently working on academic research and assignments, having access to digital materials, journals, and online resources within the school environment has made studying easier. It has also reduced the amount of money we spend on internet data and external research centres. At a time when the cost of living is rising and data subscriptions are expensive, this intervention has really eased the burden on students,” he said.

Similarly, Odunsi Mary, a Mass Communication student, narrated how she benefited from the Yayi Annual Scholarship Programme despite being from Ogun East Senatorial District, describing it as proof that the interventions cut across political and ethnic lines.

“I was surprised when I got selected because the scholarship was mainly targeted at students from Ogun West. Even though I am from Ogun East, I was still considered and supported financially. That assistance helped me pay part of my tuition fees and purchase some academic materials. It showed me that Senator Adeola is more concerned about helping students than playing sectional politics. Many students appreciate him because his programmes are impacting lives directly,” she said.

The immediate past Speaker of the Students’ Representative Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Rt. Hon. Bamigboye Elizabeth, also listed several projects credited to the senator, noting improvements in transport, security, and ICT infrastructure.

“Senator Adeola has consistently demonstrated his commitment to education and student welfare. He donated mini buses to ease transportation challenges within the campus community and facilitated the installation of streetlights to improve security and allow students move safely at night. He also supported the construction of ICT facilities, donated computer systems, and established an e-library that has become a valuable academic resource for students. Beyond infrastructure, his role in the upgrading of the institution to a university remains a landmark achievement,” she said.

At the Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, Students’ Union President Comrade Ilo Fadilu Temitope said the senator’s interventions have directly improved student welfare and learning facilities. In his remarks, he relayed how practical Senator Adeola’s contributions are in OGITECH.

“Senator Yayi has supported our institution in several ways. He donated five mini buses to improve mobility for students and staff, facilitated the installation of streetlights around the campus environment, and provided pipe-borne water to improve access to clean water. He also supported the institution’s robotic and technology centre with modern equipment to encourage innovation and practical learning among students. These interventions are not mere promises; they are visible projects that students interact with every day,” he said.

Across Ogun West, students and youth leaders say Adeola’s rising popularity is driven more by visible development than political rhetoric. From scholarships to infrastructure and technology support, they argue his interventions have made a measurable impact on their academic experience.

As the 2027 governorship race approaches, observers believe his strong backing among students could play a key role in shaping Ogun State’s political landscape, with many youths viewing his record as evidence of sustained commitment to education and youth development.