In 2010, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, was at the pinnacle of academic excellence, rated the best state university in Nigeria. It ranked eighth nationwide and 76th in Africa, with its medical program recognized among the best in the country. Its faculties, particularly engineering, were highly regarded. LAUTECH was a symbol of pride for its owner-states, the joy of its students, and the pride of the host community.
However, this success was short-lived. A conflict between the two owner-states—Oyo and Osun—over control of the institution led to financial instability, frequent strikes, and a downward spiral that saw LAUTECH lose its esteemed status. What was once a prestigious institution became the subject of ridicule, with its students facing extended academic timelines. Medical students, in particular, were spending up to 12 years for a six-year program, and the university's reputation dwindled.
The crisis also led to a rise in social vices among the students, with crime, cultism, and other nefarious activities gaining ground. LAUTECH shifted from being a respected ivory tower to a ghetto of societal issues. The institution's management became paralyzed as both states engaged in political rivalry over ownership and control.
The turning point came in 2019 when Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State assumed office. Determined to restore LAUTECH's lost glory, he saw sole ownership as the only viable solution to the crisis. However, achieving this was not going to be easy, given the political and emotional investments of both states. Governor Makinde, however, prioritized the interest of the students, focusing on solving the root of the institution's problems.
After a series of negotiations and interventions, Osun State eventually agreed to transfer full ownership of LAUTECH to Oyo State in 2020, with Osun retaining control of the College of Health Sciences and the Teaching Hospital in Osogbo. With this agreement in place, Makinde set out to reposition the institution.
Makinde moved quickly to clear the backlog of unpaid staff salaries, increase funding for capital projects, and invest in infrastructure. Under his leadership, LAUTECH saw significant improvements, including the construction of the three-kilometer LAUTECH Under G Gate Stadium Road, and a subvention increase from 25 percent to 100 percent.
In a historic move, Makinde also reduced tuition fees by 25 percent, motivating both academic and non-academic staff to give their best. For the first time in seven years, LAUTECH held its convocation in 2022, signaling a return to normalcy.
Makinde’s reforms went beyond financial restoration. He applied to the National Universities Commission (NUC) to convert LAUTECH from a university of technology to a conventional university, allowing it to offer a broader range of programs. New courses like Psychology, Law, Mass Communication, and Theatre Arts were introduced, and a new College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources was inaugurated in Iseyin in 2023.
Makinde’s intervention has yielded remarkable results. Since 2021, LAUTECH has consistently been ranked the Best State University in Nigeria and one of the top overall universities in the country. The NUC also recently accredited all 31 programs presented by the university.
The university community has been quick to acknowledge Makinde’s pivotal role in the transformation. According to Miss Badrat Adeduntan Adeladun, a 500-level student and Chairman of the LAUTECH Student Caretaker Committee, LAUTECH has bounced back fully. She said, “With what Governor Makinde has done for the university, he is unforgettable.”
Indeed, the entire LAUTECH community, from the students to the academic staff and even the business owners in Ogbomoso and Iseyin, will never forget how Governor Seyi Makinde saved the institution from decay and positioned it for greater success.
Governor Makinde’s leadership has not only rescued LAUTECH from the brink but has set it on a path of sustained progress. His name will forever be etched in the annals of LAUTECH’s history, a reminder of how one leader's vision and resolve can turn around the fortunes of an institution.
For LAUTECH, its students, staff, and the host communities, Governor Seyi Makinde is simply unforgettable—and for all the right reasons.