History, progress, and promise converged at the Permanent Site of Federal Polytechnic Ayede as the Pioneer Rector, Engr. Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, FNSE, addressed the media at the institution’s first-ever Pre-Convocation Press Conference—an event that set the tone for the Polytechnic’s maiden combined convocation ceremonies for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions.
Established on January 19, 2021, the institution has, within five years, built an enviable trajectory of academic excellence, infrastructural expansion, and stakeholder collaboration, positioning itself as a fast-rising centre for technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial education in Nigeria.
“This engagement is not only historic; it reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and partnership with the media as we showcase what has been achieved in a very short time,” the Rector stated.
The combined convocation, which commenced with a Church Service at the Temporary Site in Iresa-Pupa, spans six days of activities that reflect both academic pride and institutional culture. Highlights include a Novelty Match between teaching and non-teaching staff, a maiden Convocation Lecture at the Permanent Site to be delivered by Dr. Zacch Adelabu Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), and chaired by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, GCON.
The grand ceremony on Thursday will witness the award of National Diplomas to 325 graduands, presentation of prizes, and the conferment of the Fellowship of the Polytechnic on Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, Dr. Zacch Adelabu Adedeji, and Engr. Dr. Abubakar Isa. The programme concludes with Jumat Prayer on Friday.
The Rector expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, under whose Renewed Hope Agenda the Polytechnic has thrived, as well as to the Hon. Minister of Education, NBTE, TETFund, and the Governing Council led by Hon. Yakubu Dati(FNIPR).
He acknowledged the pivotal role of traditional rulers led by the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, alongside other monarchs and host communities whose support has been instrumental since inception. The Oyo State Government, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, and the Chairman of Ogo-Oluwa Local Government, Hon. Seun Ojo, were also commended for their cooperation and responsiveness to the Polytechnic’s infrastructure needs.
Particular mention was made of Dr. Zacch Adelabu Adedeji for facilitating the access road project from Idi-Araba, now under construction—an intervention described as transformative for the Permanent Site.
From an initial approval of four National Diploma programmes in 2023, the Polytechnic now runs thirteen NBTE-approved ND programmes across five Schools, reflecting rapid academic expansion. These programmes span Engineering, Environmental, Agricultural, Management, and Science and Technology disciplines, supported by a robust General Studies Department.
Through the Centre for Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (CSAED), every graduand earns at least two additional vocational certificates, strengthening employability and enterprise creation.
The combined convocation will graduate 325 students. For 2023/2024, 138 graduands emerged, including 29 distinctions, while the 2024/2025 session produced 187 graduands with 43 distinctions.
The Overall Best Graduating Students, each with a CGPA of 3.96, are Miss Taiwo Ibukunoluwa Arinola (Science Laboratory Technology) and Mr. Olapese Quadri Ayofe (Agricultural Technology).
In five years, the Polytechnic has executed 68 major projects across its Permanent and Temporary campuses, funded through TETFund interventions, federal appropriations, consult initiatives, and philanthropic support.
Ongoing projects include a Main Library, Multi-Skills Centre, Electrical/Electronics Laboratories, and 33KVA power installation. Donor contributions from eminent sons of Ogbomoso and organisations have significantly complemented federal efforts.
Beyond infrastructure, the institution has completed over 90 Institution-Based Research projects and nine TETFund fabrication projects addressing practical challenges in agriculture, construction, food processing, and digital manufacturing.
Fifteen academic staff have benefited from TETFund postgraduate scholarships, while over 190 staff have attended conferences and trainings locally and internationally.
The Rector reaffirmed the Polytechnic’s commitment to consolidating operations at the Permanent Site in Ayede, symbolised by hosting key convocation events there.
However, he made a passionate appeal for continued support in critical areas: access roads from Oolo and Odo-Oba, staff and student hostels through PPP arrangements, potable water, electricity, healthcare, digital infrastructure, and recreational facilities.
“The government alone cannot meet all these needs in the shortest possible time. We call on partners, agencies, communities, and individuals to join us in building this institution into a model Polytechnic,” he urged.
The press conference was not merely a prelude to a convocation; it was a compelling narrative of how vision, leadership, collaboration, and community ownership have transformed a newly established Polytechnic into a thriving academic institution within half a decade.
As Federal Polytechnic Ayede prepares to graduate its first sets of students, it does so not only with certificates in hand, but with a powerful statement: the Polytechnic has come to stay—and to lead.