Former Ogun State governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has proposed the establishment of four additional campuses for Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) following the institution’s recent takeover by the Federal Government.
Daniel disclosed that the proposal had already been submitted to the Federal Government to address land limitations at the university’s main campus in Ijagun, located in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
Speaking during a midterm assessment and constituency tour of Ijebu North East Local Government at Equity Resort in Erunwon, the senator explained that the university currently occupies about 151 hectares of land—far below the roughly 10,000 hectares typically required for a federally owned institution.
According to him, the creation of satellite campuses within a 30-kilometre radius of the main campus would help expand infrastructure and support the university’s long-term development.
He said the proposed campuses include:
- A Skill Acquisition Mini-Campus in Okelugbogun, Ijebu North East.
- The conversion of Gateway Petroleum Institute in Oni, Ogun Waterside into a satellite campus.
- An Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Mini-Campus in the Illishan/Odogbolu area.
- A Health Sciences Mini-Campus in Ijebu Ode.
Daniel noted that the initiative would boost educational access and economic development in the region. He also mentioned that the proposal carries symbolic significance, pointing out that the ancestral roots of Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu, are traced to Ijebu North East.
During the event, the senator also provided free medical services to residents and distributed empowerment items including sewing machines, motorcycles, grinding machines, deep freezers and knapsack sprayers to support local businesses.
However, Daniel criticised what he described as hostility from the Ogun State government toward his efforts to facilitate federal projects in the district. He argued that such tensions could slow development and called for greater cooperation between federal and state authorities.
“Our role as lawmakers is to facilitate federal projects to our constituency,” he said. “But once that is done, the awarding and execution of contracts fall under federal agencies. What we need from the state government is cooperation, not unnecessary political disputes.”
He also addressed the controversy surrounding the rehabilitation of Paddy Arikawe Road in Sagamu GRA, a project the state government recently halted over alleged lack of required approvals. Daniel said the road was originally constructed during his tenure as governor more than two decades ago and required urgent repairs.
In response, the Ogun State government, through the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, denied allegations of hostility. He stated that the state only insisted on proper documentation and approvals before any project could proceed.
Akinmade added that the contractor involved had since agreed to comply with the government’s directives and had been permitted to return to the construction site.
Daniel, meanwhile, urged the state government to improve road infrastructure across the local government areas to boost economic growth. He also praised President Bola Tinubu for his leadership and reiterated his support for the administration’s policies.
The senator further called on residents of the Remo and Ijebu areas to unite behind efforts to create an Ijebu-Remo State from the present Ogun State.
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