Oyo assembly moves motion for OYSCATECH upgrade to university

By Adejayan Gbenga, Ibadan

The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, has led deliberations on a motion seeking the upgrade of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH), Igboora, to a full-fledged university.

The motion, co-sponsored by Hon. Peter Ojedokun and seconded by Hon. Rahman Olorunpoto Cephas, was presented on the floor of the House, with lawmakers noting that the Ibarapa geopolitical zone remains the only zone in Oyo State without a university.

According to the lawmakers, OYSCATECH has developed into a reputable institution with strong academic and technical capacity in agricultural training and is therefore worthy to become a university.

They noted that the college has over 500 staff, about 4,000 hectares of land, six faculties, more than 50 academic buildings, and functional laboratories, making it suitable for broader learning.

The motion also referenced regulatory support, stating that the National Universities Commission has approved the commencement of 16 degree programmes in affiliation with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, while the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has recognised the institution as a degree-awarding body under affiliation.

They further noted that the passage of an enabling law by the State Assembly is the key requirement for the upgrade, adding that documents such as the Academic Brief and Physical Master Plan are already available.

The House went on to commend Governor Seyi Makinde for his commitment to education and directed its Committee on Education to begin the process of amending the law establishing OYSCATECH, while urging the state government to approve the proposed upgrade to the Oyo State University of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, provide financial and administrative support, and work with regulatory bodies to secure accreditation.

The upgrade of the institution is expected to expand access to higher education, promote agricultural innovation, strengthen food security, and position the Ibarapa zone as a centre for research and development in the state, the lawmakers indicated.