Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has tasked The Polytechnic, Ibadan, with conducting research into the power challenges facing the institution and devising an alternative energy solution.
Makinde’s directive came on Friday during the 39th convocation ceremony of the institution, where a total of 3,650 students graduated across various faculties.
The Faculty of Business and Communication Studies accounted for 1,669 graduates, while the Faculty of Science had 571.
The Faculty of Engineering produced 574 graduates, the Faculty of Environmental Studies had 333, and the Faculty of Financial Studies recorded 503.
Representing the governor at the event, Commissioner for Science and Technology, Salihu Adelabu, extended congratulations to the graduates and expressed particular satisfaction with the significant number of engineering students among them.
Acting Rector of the polytechnic, Taiwo Lasisi, praised the graduates for their academic success and good conduct, emphasizing that both qualities were essential to earning diplomas and degrees from the institution.
He encouraged them to play their part in national development.
“I believe many of you have been equipped through your training to contribute to this cause. We must believe in our country and work towards making it a land of opportunities, just as it once was. We have the resources—both natural and human—to rebuild this nation,” he stated.
Lasisi expressed gratitude to the governor for attending the convocation, noting, “Your first official visit to The Polytechnic, Ibadan, as Governor and Visitor will be remembered for years to come.”
He also highlighted several pressing issues facing the institution, including financial constraints limiting facility upgrades, NBTE-imposed class capacity restrictions affecting student enrollment, aging infrastructure, a shortage of office spaces, and rising energy costs.
“For over 40 years, our institution has cried out for infrastructural renewal. Given your impressive record in road construction across the state, we believe your intervention will enhance the functionality of our institution,” Lasisi appealed.
Addressing the electricity concerns raised, Commissioner Adelabu expressed surprise that the institution had yet to develop its own solution.
“I’m surprised that you’re still talking about electricity challenges. You ought to have conducted a research on your own and come up with an alternative energy source as a technical institution.
“As a result, I’m saying this on behalf of the governor: you should go back and conduct research into how to resolve the power problem in the institution,” he stated.
A key moment of the ceremony was the recognition of outstanding students, with Shonde Idayat from the Faculty of Science emerging as the overall best-graduating student.
