The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has assured the National Universities Commission (NUC) that the newly established Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbiji, is ready to commence admissions this October.
Oyetola gave the assurance on Monday while receiving an NUC Resource Verification Team at his Iragbiji residence in Osun State. The team, led by the Commission’s Deputy Director of Academic Planning, Dr. Victoria Pillah, was on a mission to assess the preparedness of the new institution for takeoff.
The Minister urged the delegation to view any observed inadequacies as temporary, emphasizing that the community was determined to meet the required standards and meet the end-of-October admission deadline.
“We are grateful to the Federal Government for considering the community worthy of not just an institution, but a university that’s specialised,” Oyetola said.
“We are working to develop the permanent site. We tried to ensure that the takeoff is in the facilities we have, as we have made it up to a reasonable level.
I can assure you that given the speed at which we are yearning to develop the permanent site, in two to three years, we would do better than you could expect.”
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The Minister further disclosed that several associates have expressed readiness to support the institution’s infrastructural development once it moves to its permanent site.
“Whatever inadequacies you may observe, it’s temporary. I can assure you that in your next visit, you would see progress. We don’t want to miss this year’s matriculation,” he added.
He noted that the Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbiji, was conceived the same day as the University of Health Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti, stressing the community’s eagerness not to lag behind in admissions and academic activities.
Earlier, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Rasheed Odundun IV, lauded the Federal Government, Oyetola, and the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for their roles in the establishment of the new university. The monarch also praised Mrs. Kafayat Olaitan Oyetola for her continued goodwill and support toward the community.
Appreciating the host community, Dr. Pillah commended the level of preparedness observed, noting that the NUC would conduct an objective and transparent verification for possible immediate takeoff of the institution.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mufutau Atayese, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oyetola, and Dr. Tunji Alausa for their support in making the university a reality.
Also in attendance were members of the University Implementation Committee, including its chairman and founder of Pathfinder College of Health Technology, Mr. Bisi Olaboopo, as well as community leaders and NUC representatives.
