Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has pledged sustained government support for the Ekiti State College of Technology (EKSCOTECH), Ijero-Ekiti, as the institution consolidates its new status as a full-fledged Polytechnic.
Oyebanji made the commitment during the institution’s maiden combined convocation ceremony under its Polytechnic status, held at the EKSCOTECH Sports Complex in Ijero-Ekiti, where 5,742 graduands were presented for the conferment of National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and other certificates.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habitat Adubiaro, the Governor said the state government remained committed to strengthening its tertiary institutions through sustained investment in infrastructure, human capital and institutional capacity.
He described the transformation of EKSCOTECH from its previous institutional structure into a Polytechnic as an important development in expanding access to technical, vocational and professional education in Ekiti State.
The Governor commended the institution’s Governing Council and management for their efforts to restore stability and reposition EKSCOTECH for growth, while urging them to ensure that the opportunities created by the Polytechnic status translated into stronger academic programmes, practical training and improved prospects for students and graduates.
Oyebanji also called on alumni, philanthropists, organisations and other individuals interested in education to complement government’s efforts by supporting the development of the institution.
The Governor’s pledge comes as EKSCOTECH faces the demands that accompany its expanded mandate. The institution has recently secured additional programme accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), creating the need for corresponding investments in lecturers, laboratories, workshops, classrooms and other facilities.
The Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr ‘Femi Thomas, said the institution’s transition to Polytechnic status followed a deliberate process aimed at restoring stability and addressing longstanding institutional challenges.
Thomas recalled that Governor Oyebanji, before the constitution of the current Governing Council, had expressed concern about the situation at the institution and mandated the council to restore order and reposition it for sustainable growth.
According to him, the council subsequently worked towards completing the institution’s transmutation, culminating in its recognition as a full-fledged Polytechnic and the accreditation of additional programmes by the NBTE.
He said the new status had also opened opportunities for EKSCOTECH to access TETFund interventions, gain relevant JAMB recognition and participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme for eligible programmes and graduates.
Despite these developments, Thomas identified increased government subvention as an immediate requirement if the Polytechnic is to sustain its expansion.
He said EKSCOTECH needed additional lecturers and facilities to support its growing academic programmes, while also identifying the development of the permanent South Campus as one of the institution’s major priorities.
Other projects highlighted by the council chairman include the construction of academic blocks, particularly facilities for the School of Engineering, expansion of the library and laboratories, provision of buses for practical training, completion of the institution’s clinic and rehabilitation of internal roads at the North Campus.
Thomas also disclosed that the institution had cleared its backlog of staff promotions dating back to 2022, with efforts being made to ensure that future promotion exercises remain up to date.
The Rector of EKSCOTECH, Dr Olufemi Olubamise, described the combined convocation as significant because it brought together graduands from several academic sessions whose ceremonies had not previously been conducted.
According to him, the ceremony represented the institution’s second convocation, following the last edition in 2017, and the first convocation held after the institution attained full Polytechnic status.
The graduating cohort reflected the breadth of academic outcomes recorded by the institution. Out of the 5,742 graduands, 343 obtained distinctions, representing 5.97 per cent, while 1,951 recorded Upper Credits, representing 33.98 per cent.
Another 2,720 graduands, representing 47.37 per cent, obtained Lower Credits, while 661, representing 11.51 per cent, recorded Passes. The institution also recorded 67 Merits among the graduating population.
Olubamise described the development of EKSCOTECH as an institutional journey spanning several stages, from its origin as a Women Development Centre to its evolution into a School of Health Technology, then a College and ultimately a Polytechnic.
He said the institution had also made progress in deploying digital systems to improve administration, teaching and campus management.
Among the developments are campus-wide Wi-Fi deployment, digital identity cards, electronic fee-clearance systems and a digital staff attendance management system.
The Rector further disclosed that 14 classrooms had been equipped with CCTV, which he said was part of the institution’s efforts to strengthen examination monitoring and reduce malpractice.
As EKSCOTECH begins operating with the wider responsibilities associated with Polytechnic status, however, the Governing Council said additional investment would be necessary to match institutional growth with adequate academic and physical infrastructure.
Thomas stressed that the achievements recorded so far should not be regarded as the end of the transformation process, arguing that expansion had created new responsibilities for the institution and its proprietors.
He appealed for stronger funding to enable EKSCOTECH recruit lecturers for newly established departments and strengthen the delivery of its academic programmes.
He also called for investment in laboratories, workshops, transportation and other facilities required for technical and practical education, while encouraging individuals and organisations committed to education and human capital development to contribute to the institution.
The emphasis on practical infrastructure is particularly significant for a Polytechnic whose mandate is closely linked to technical and vocational training. Adequate workshops, laboratories, equipment and industry-linked learning opportunities will remain central to the institution’s ability to translate its expanded status into improved student competencies.
For the graduands, the convocation marked the transition from formal training into further education, professional practice, entrepreneurship and employment.
The overall best graduating student, Iji Alice-Omonya, in her valedictory address, expressed appreciation to the institution’s management and staff for their contribution to the academic and professional development of the graduands.
She acknowledged the commitment of lecturers and other members of staff in preparing the students for the next stage of their lives, expressing confidence that the knowledge and training acquired at EKSCOTECH would continue to influence their future positively.
Her academic performance earned her additional recognition, including automatic employment by the institution and a cash reward.
The ceremony also featured the conferment of honorary fellowship awards on individuals recognised for their contributions to the growth and development of EKSCOTECH.
Among those honoured were Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Dr Abiodun Arokodare, Hon. Omowunmi Ogunlola, Dr ‘Femi Thomas, the Owa Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Adewole Adebayo, and Mrs Bolanle Oladunjoye.
With the institution now operating as a Polytechnic and expanding its academic offerings, the next phase of EKSCOTECH’s development will depend on how effectively its new status is matched with funding, human resources, infrastructure and practical learning facilities.
For the Ekiti State Government, the commitment announced at the convocation signals continued public investment in technical and vocational education, while for EKSCOTECH, the ceremony represents both an institutional milestone and the beginning of a broader responsibility to produce graduates equipped for employment, entrepreneurship and the demands of a changing economy.
