By Opeyemi Olawore, Igboora
The Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora has matriculated 2, 268 students for full time and part-time National and Higher National Diploma Programmes of the institution for 2024/2025 Academic Session.
The event turned out to be a double celebration for the Institution as the Rector, Prof. Akinola Akinlabi announced the accreditation approval granted to the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to run 25 programmes.
Addressing the matriculating Students, the Rector noted that out of thousands of applicants that qualified and applied for admission into various National Diploma (ND) Programmes, 1661 applicants have been offered admissions into full time and Part time ND programmes while 607 applicants were admitted into full time and Part time Higher National Diploma Programmes (HND).
Prof. Akinlabi added that the total students admitted for both ND and HND progammes including full time and Part time students is 2,268 for 2024/2025 academic session.
According to him, “for students who have been admitted, this is a great honour and rare opportunity for you to learn, socialize, acquire knowledge, skills and for other academic pursuits in the Polytechnic.
“Academic excellence is not the sole factor that determines students’ success in life. It is essential to cultivate a well-rounded personality.
This means developing good communication and interpersonal skills, as they will be vital in your professional and personal life. Engage in co-curricular activities, join registered clubs and organizations, and volunteer in community service projects.
“The institution is unique and well respected as an institution that places high premium on practical, entrepreneurship training, research and community services. Being a full-fledged polytechnics since April 2016, the College has adequate qualified manpower for effective general administration, teaching and research.”
Prof. Akinlabi reiterated that the students have been admitted into an institution
Announcing the accreditation approval granted to 25 programmes of the Institution by the NBTE, the Rector noted that 24 programmes gained full accreditation which will last for five years while the resource accreditation status has been granted to HND Statistic for the period of two years.
Prof. Akinlabi appreciated the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, for his unwavering effort on the continuous payment of salaries to Staff coupled with his effort on Agriculture in Oyo State.
Prof. Akinlabi hinted that ninety percent (90%) of Students with delay in NYSC Mobilization have been duly mobilized, while promising that the few others will soon be attended to.
He revealed that OYSCATECH is set to commence the running of some of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) degree programmes which will provide an opportunity for people willing to top up their HND programmes and those interested in Direct Entry.
The Rector also used the occasion to enumerate some of his administrations achievements which include; procurement of 250 laptops for the re-accreditation of OYSCATECH ICT as JAMB CBT Centre, participation in Women in Agricultural Technical Education and Apprenticeship (WATEA), a project which has given opportunity for some of the Staff to be trained in France, while 500 students were trained in various enterprises under the WATEA project.
Prof. Akinlabi hinted that the institution had received TETFund intervention for 2025 apart from the previous High Impact, Zonal and Annual Intervention received. Other achievements are donation of demonstration farm and farm centre by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, DisasterManagement and Social Development, donation of Garri and FUFU processing factories by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Convocation for 8 set of Students, collaborations with Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, collaboration with National Agricultural Land and Development Agency (NALDA) on the possibility of cultivating 2,000 hectares of land in partnership with the institution.
He added that the institution won year 2024 Gov Seyi Makinde’s (GSM) football completion among all higher institutions in Oyo State.
“Staff training and academic sponsorship for Master’s Degree and Doctoral Degree were enjoyed by over Fifty-five Staff through TETFund sponsorship in the last two year,” he said.
The Hon. Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu who was represented by the Director, Higher & Continuing Education, Mr. Adewale encouraged the students to uphold the motto of the institution by showing commitment to the training on innovation, food sufficiency and self-employment.
The students, thereafter took the matriculation oath which was administered on them by the Registrar, Mr. R.F.A. Adeniji.
The Students pledged to be law abiding citizens who will be worthy ambassadors of the institution.
The Matriculation ceremony was well attended by .Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, Academic Affairs Officer, Admissions Officer, Deputy Registrars and other principal officers of the institution among whom are the Deputy Rector, Dr. Wasiu Raheem, the Bursar, Mr. Modupe Ogundapo and acting Polytechnic Librarian, Mr. Rasak Oyewo.
