By Nnasom David

The National Association of University Students (NAUS) has hailed the recent conversion of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro to the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro as a “monumental leap” for Ogun West and a defining moment in Nigeria’s educational future.

NAUS made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday following Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s announcement that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the legislative bill into law.

Comrade Meshach Anthony Nwankwo, Deputy National President (National and Campus Affairs) of NAUS, described the move as a “historic legislation” that signals not just regional development, but national commitment to modernizing education and widening access to quality tertiary institutions.

> “This is not just a victory for Ogun West; it is a profound testament to what visionary leadership can achieve,” Nwankwo said. “President Tinubu has demonstrated, once again, that education is not just policy — it is a pathway to national prosperity.”

He praised President Tinubu’s leadership for bringing stability to the university system, noting that this “forward-thinking intervention” would further democratize learning across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

The student body reserved special commendation for Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, who sponsored the bill.

> “Senator Yayi has rewritten the narrative of Ogun West. He is not just a lawmaker; he is an architect of educational justice,” Nwankwo said. “Through legislative mastery and an unshakeable belief in human capital, he has given generations of Yewa people a gateway to transformation.”

NAUS also extended appreciation to Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, describing his government as “a partner in educational progress,” and called for deeper collaboration between the state and federal governments to ensure that the university sets a national benchmark.

Traditional rulers in Yewaland were not left out of the celebration. NAUS singled out the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, for his guidance and advocacy.

> “Kabiyesi has been a rock of wisdom, stability, and cultural strength. His moral leadership has shaped this victory,” Nwankwo stated.

To the people of Ogun West, the association delivered a stirring message of hope:

> “This moment is yours. You waited, you hoped, and now you have a university that reflects your dreams. The gates of opportunity are open.”

However, while celebrating the landmark achievement, NAUS emphasized the need for broader educational reforms across the country.

> “We must not abandon our existing universities. Many of them suffer from infrastructure decay and inadequate funding,” Nwankwo cautioned. “We urge the Federal Government to honor all agreements with ASUU and prioritize comprehensive improvements across all institutions.”

NAUS concluded by reaffirming its role as a voice for Nigerian students worldwide.

> “The classroom remains Nigeria’s most strategic battlefield. Let this new university be both a symbol of fulfilled vision and a reminder of the work ahead,” Nwankwo added. “We will continue to demand an education system that not only informs but transforms.”

The elevation of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro to a university marks the first public university in Ogun West, a development observers say could unlock new social, economic, and technological opportunities for the region.