The Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to providing adequate funding for all the government-owned tertiary institutions in the State.
The Governor gave the assurance while delivering his address at the 3rd Convocation ceremony of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, at the main campus of the institution, on Tuesday.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who hailed the growth of OAUSTECH in the last few years, said his administration will provide more support for the institution, including its ongoing plan to float a new faculty on medical sciences.
The Governor emphasized the importance of quality education in driving societal progress, pledging his support for the advancement of education in the state, particularly through infrastructural development.
"As we gather here to commemorate the remarkable achievements of our graduating students, I want to assure you that our government remains focused on transforming the education sector. OAUSTECH stands as a testament to our collective aspirations for academic excellence and intellectual advancement," he said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa outlined key projects aimed at improving the university, including the completion of the Maritime Transport and Logistics Academy at Ugbonla, the rapid completion of abandoned hostels under the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), and the refurbishment of ageing facilities.
He also mentioned ongoing engagements with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ensure the completion of its abandoned hostel project.
Recognizing OAUSTECH's vital role in developing Marine and Blue Economy disciplines, the Governor highlighted the state's efforts to construct a deep-sea port, a project he said would boost economic growth and strengthen Ondo's position as a key maritime hub.
He commended the university's management, led by Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Temi Emmanuel Ologunorisa, for its impressive growth in student enrollment, rising from 400 students in the 2020/2021 academic session to 2,800 in the 2024/2025 session.
The Governor also celebrated two academic staff members for their outstanding achievements: Dr. Bartholomew Adeleke, who was ranked among the top two percent of scientists worldwide by Elsevier and Stanford University, and Dr. Alaba Joseph Adebayo, who won the 2025 Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences (NSPS) Best PhD Thesis Prize in Chemistry.
Governor Aiyedatiwa congratulated the graduating students and encouraged them to embrace lifelong learning, innovation, and excellence in their future endeavors.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ologunorisa, thanked Governor Aiyedatiwa for his support for the institution, promising that the school will keep up its tempo of growth and academic milestones.
At the ceremony, a total of 995 graduating students were awarded first degrees, with 31 of them bagging First Class.
