Lagos state government has on Thursday, December 30 announced to upgrade of Lagos state polytechnic and two colleges of education to university status.
The colleges are Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education.
LASPOTECH will now be known as Lagos State University of Science and Technology, while Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education are now Lagos State University of Education.
Recall that in July, Lagos House of Assembly debated two bills proposing the establishment of two tertiary institutions – a University of Education and a University of Science and Technology – in the state.
Read Also: Lagos Assembly To Establish Two Universities, Convert LASPOTECH To Varsity
The bills scaled second reading on the floor of the House presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa.
Hon. Bisi Yusuff (Alimosho 1) argued that the bill for a law to provide for the establishment of the university of Education, Lagos (UNEDLAG) was important as he suggested that it should also have provision for pre-degree programmes.
Yusuff also noted a provision in the bill that would make graduates be somewhat independent rather than search for jobs.
“The inclusion of vocational training will also make the students to be self-employed,” he said.
On his part, Hon. Sani Okanlawon, said it had become important for Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education and Michael Otedola College of Education to be upgraded to a university.
He had expressed;
The society now rejects NCE and what is the benefit of going to a school that your certificate will not be recognised? Admission into this school is the lowest as only 18 applicants chose (ACCOED) as first choice in the last Universal Tertiary Matriculations Examinations (UTME).
With the creation of this varsity, it will reduce the number of applicants seeking admission to LASU.
Also contributing, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa 2), who agreed with his colleagues on the need to upgrade the two colleges of education in the state to a university, said the NCE is no longer popular.
In latest development, Tokunbo Philip Wahab, the Special Adviser on Education to the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu, announced the upgrade of the three institutions to universities.
Speaking via his Facebook page, Wahab stated that the upgrade is now official, adding that the decision was made to “improve quality assurance and remove the dichotomy in employability of polytechnic graduates visa vis their counterpart in the university.”
His statement reads;
It’s official. In order to improve quality assurance and to remove the dichotomy in employability of polytechnic graduates visa vis their counterpart in the university, Lagos State Polytechnic is now Lagos State University of Science and Technology, while Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education are now Lagos State University of Education.
Thank you, MG Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
