Governor Aiyedatiwa Approves Upgrade of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic to University of Agriculture and Agribusiness
Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved the upgrade and conversion of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO) into the University of Agriculture and Agribusiness. This decision follows a comprehensive review of the initial proposal to convert the institution into a University of Management Science and Technology under the previous administration.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who announced the conversion upon assuming office, emphasized that the new University of Agriculture and Agribusiness will serve as a model institution for the state’s agricultural and food security revolution initiative. He assured that a government committee would be set up to oversee the transition, ensuring that the change does not negatively impact current students and staff.
In a strategic move to boost youth participation in agriculture, the Governor also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AgroMall Discovery and Extension Limited, securing a ₦15 billion investment in a youth-oriented agricultural initiative. The agreement will facilitate the establishment of the Young Ranchers Agricultural Cluster Development Programme, where three higher institutions, including the newly upgraded RUGIPO, will serve as pilot beneficiaries.
Under this initiative, each of the three institutions will host five hectares of farmland, focusing on practical training for students and youth in agriculture-related enterprises. Additionally, the institutions will benefit from a share of the proceeds generated from the program’s operations.
In another development, Governor Aiyedatiwa has also approved an MoU with BBA Consult to develop and deploy a secure ICT system aimed at enhancing state resource planning and boosting internally generated revenue. The agreement will be executed on a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) basis, marking a significant step in modernizing revenue collection in Ondo State.
