Aiyedatiwa upgrades Ondo poly to University of Agriculture

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has approved the conversion of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in the Owo area of the state to a University of Agriculture and Agribusiness.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, announced this via a statement on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

Adeniyan said the decision followed a review of the initial proposal for the upgrade of the polytechnic to a university of management science and technology by the former administration.

Adeniyan noted that the institution will be the model for the agriculture and food security revolution initiative of the state government.

He stated that a committee would be set up by the government to work out the modalities for the implementation of the conversion of the polytechnic to a University of Agriculture.

“This is to ensure that this will not have any negative effects on the current students and staff of the institution,” the CPS said.

Adeniyan noted that the governor also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ondo State Government and a private investor to inject N15 billion into a youth-oriented agriculture initiative.

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He said the MoU was an agreement for the establishment and operation of the Young Ranchers Agricultural Cluster Development Programme between the government and AgroMall Discovery and Extension Limited.

Adeniyan added that the initiative would focus on practical farming for young people and practical training for students in agriculture and agric related operations.

The CPS said the company would use five hectares of land in each of the three approved clusters in Ondo State.

“Using three higher institutions, including the newly upgraded RUGIPO, as host pilot beneficiaries,” he said.

Adeniyan added that aside from training of the students, each of the institutions to be used as hosts also would benefit a percentage from the proceeds of the operations.

The Star