The Ogun State Government on Wednesday announced the scrapping of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode.
But the students of the university, who were directed to join those of the Ogun State University, have protested the decision.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, John Odubela, explained at a news conference that the decision was in the best interest of the state and the students.
Odubela, who also announced the merger of four Information and Communication Technology-based polytechnics in the state, said the decisions were taken based on the recommendations of a Special Committee set up by the state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, to review the reports of Visitation Panels to the various institutions.
The special committee was headed by the state’s Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun.
Others in the committee were the Attorney General, Wemimo Ogunde (SAN); Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Daniel Adejobi; and the governor’s Special Adviser on Education, Dr. Tunji Abimbola.
Odubela said TASUED hasbeen converted to an institute with immediate effect and now affiliated to the Faculty of Education of OOU.
Odubela, who was at the news conference with the state Commissioner for Information, Yusuf Olaniyonu, directed the university authorities to stop further admission of students, especially for the 2012/2013 academic session.
He said the campus would be relocated to Omu-Ijebu which is the current site of another state-owned institution, the Tai Solarin College of Education, while TASCE would be moved to Ijagun.
The ICT polytechnics affected by the merger are Kesington Adebutu ICT Polytechnic, Saapade; Abraham Adesanya ICT Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo; D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori; and Ayodeji Otegbola ICT Polytechnic, Igbesa.
Odubela said Igbesa would serve as the main campus of the new Ogun State Institute of Technology while Saapade, Ijebu-Igbo and Itori would operate as satellite campuses.
He said the Egbado Teachers’ Training College, Ilaro has been renamed Ayodeji Otegbola Teachers’ Training College “in order to still keep that name – Ayo Otegbola.”
However, the students of TASUED will hear none of that.
The President of the school’s Students Union, Abdullahi Oyekanmi, led the protest.
The students protested what they termed the demotion of their schools at the protest that took them to the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre, Abeokuta.
Oyekanmi said: “If they are really committed to education, education is the bedrock of any development, then they should rebuild and revamp the collapsed infrastructure.
“Giving excuses of unavailability of fund is not an excuse. We know our governor, probably some people have been advising him, he should not listen to their advice. This decision should therefore be reversed.
“TASUED is a university that has never derailed one time from the mission and vision to which it has been established.
“The record is there and it is the fastest growing university in Nigeria today.
“That was why Federal Government wanted to take over the university.
“For instance, it is even a glory for you to have a university of education located in your state. We are saying no to merger. When you kill TASUED, you kill education. We are not violent; all we are saying is don’t mortgage our future.”