Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has called for stronger collaboration between the government and private investors to advance the development of the state’s tertiary education sector.
Speaking during a meeting with student representatives of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), in his office at Akure, the governor emphasised the need for joint efforts to tackle accommodation shortages and improve overall learning conditions across campuses in the state.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ebenezer Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa commended the students for maintaining peace and order, noting that since he assumed office, there had been no cases of unrest or violent agitation within the student community.
He appealed to private investors to support the state by constructing hostels within and around tertiary institutions to ease accommodation difficulties and enhance security for students.
The governor explained that government resources were limited and that private sector participation would not only ease pressure on public funds but also create viable business opportunities.
Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to technical and vocational education, describing it as crucial for industrial growth and job creation.
He said that the state was witnessing increased investor interest and would require a skilled workforce to sustain economic expansion.
He also pledged to resolve ongoing electricity supply challenges at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), assuring that his administration was working to ensure consistent power for academic and research activities.
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As part of efforts to promote student welfare, the governor announced the approval of five new buses for student unions across tertiary institutions in the state, with a promise of more to follow.
He further reiterated the government’s dedication to supporting education and youth empowerment through scholarships, grants, and other financial interventions.
In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Affairs, Kelvin Olaolu, appreciated the governor’s continuous support, saying his inclusive leadership had helped sustain peace within the student community.
Olaolu noted that under Aiyedatiwa’s leadership, the state had witnessed improved engagement with student bodies and expanded support for both public and private institutions.
The meeting reaffirmed the administration’s pledge to make education a key pillar in its development agenda, ensuring that students across Ondo State benefit from a more conducive learning environment.