Ogun, World Bank, Partner to Revitalize Technical Colleges

 

By Busayo Morakinyo

Nigeria, Abeokuta – The Ogun State Technical and Vocational Education Board (OGSTVEB) has embarked on a familiarisation and monitoring tour across the 8 state-owned Technical colleges, reaffirming the government’s commitment to advancing technical and vocational education in partnership with the World Bank through the Ogun State Economic Transformation Program (OGSTEP).

Speaking during the tour, the Acting Executive Secretary of OGSTVEB, Mrs. Mojisola Adenowo, explained that the exercise, aimed to monitor academic activities, oversee staff and students’ welfare and ensure proper handling of facilities provided under the World Bank-assisted project, routinely sought to sustain the progress recorded in the technical and vocational education sector.

Adenowo commended the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for the comprehensive rehabilitation of all Technical colleges in the State, emphasising the administration’s huge investments in infrastructure, modern tools and manpower development, saying the transformation had created a conducive atmosphere for learning and skill acquisition across the colleges.

She also lauded the World Bank’s contribution, particularly in the provision of modern equipment and grants, urging the organisation to continue its support until all components of the project were fully completed.

Accordingly, Adenowo enjoined the Principals to ensure proper maintenance of facilities, retrain teachers and adopt practical, hands-on-methods of teaching, to make learners industry-ready and self-reliant.

The OGSTVEB boss, encouraged schools to use their newly installed facilities for productive ventures that could generate internal revenue, while advising students to take full advantage of the opportunities provided. She highlighted Ogun State’s leadership role in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), urging learners to dedicate themselves to skill mastery for global competitiveness.

“I want to advise you all to take your industrial training (DPT) seriously, as outstanding performance could lead to permanent jobs in major companies,” she said. Adenowo also disclosed plans to introduce aviation-related courses to prepare students for opportunities in the emerging aviation industry around the new Ogun State Airport.

Reacting, Principal of Government Science and Technical College, Ilara-Remo, Mr. Kolawole Ademola, described the tour as timely and inspiring. He expressed gratitude to Governor Abiodun for renovating the school and equipping it with modern facilities, which have boosted student enrollment and renewed enthusiasm among learners.

Ademola explained that the school had introduced strict maintenance policies with a robust security network to protect the facilities. He revealed that the Motor Vehicle Mechanics Department would begin generating revenue by offering diagnostic and wheel alignment services to external mechanics with the new machines provided.

The Principal of Government Technical College Ijebu – Ode, Mr. Adejimi Adegboyega in his response, also commended the Ogun State Government and the World Bank for their continuous support towards improving technical education. He noted that the monitoring exercise was timely, adding that the visit has rekindled their hope and commitment. “It shows that the government truly means business in revamping technical education”, he said.

Similarly, other principals expressed satisfaction with the renewed attention on the technical colleges, describing the initiative as a step in the right direction toward transforming vocational education in the State. They called for continuous training for teachers and sustained monitoring to maintain quality standards.

The monitoring tour covered all 8 State-owned technical colleges , Idi-Aba (Abeokuta), Ijebu-Ode, Ota, Ijebu-Igbo, Ilara-Remo, Ayetoro, Igbesa, and Ilaro , as well as two skill acquisition centers in Iperu and Ilisan. The exercise reaffirmed the State government’s determination to make Ogun a national leader in technical and vocational education, equipping its youth with employable skills, promoting innovation and fostering self-reliance.

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