How Tinubu, Olubadan Secured Full Ownership Of LAUTECH For Oyo State

The controversy surrounding the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho, LAUTECH, jointly owned by the Governments of Oyo and Osun got to its crescendo when the institution was locked up for about three years over non payment of staff salaries amongst other lingering issues occasioned by the poor funding of the school by the governments under the immediate past Governor of Oyo, Late Senator Abiola Ajimobi and former Governor of Osun and now Minister for Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

During the debacle between LAUTECH and Oyo State Government, students of the institution led series of protests to show their agitation and displeasure which was partially resolved and led to the reopening of the school before Ajimobi left office in 2019.

Seyi Makinde, incumbent Oyo State governor, has however since taken it upon himself to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis and rot in the school by adequately funding it.

According to knowledgeable sources, who disclosed to newsmen that it took the swift intervention of the Olubadan of Ibadan Land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, who put a call through to the influential politician, Asiwajù Bola Tinubu before an agreement was reached between the two states to end the joint ownership of the institution.

“Olubadan had to intervene by calling Asiwaju Tinubu to speak to the Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, to fully cede the ownership of LAUTECH to Oyo state government since Osun state has it’s own State University.

Few days after Olubadan called Asiwaju Tinubu; he called back to update Olubadan that he had spoken to Governor Oyetola who has agreed to cede the university for full ownership to Oyo State but Oyo will have to meet some conditions before the final forfeiture of the University,” one source said.

Sources further added that Makinde’s move through Olubadan was not well received by Tinubu, who felt the governor should have reached out to him directly to broker the deal between the two states.

“Asiwaju was not happy that Olubadan had to call on Makinde on his behalf. Asiwaju believes despite their party dichotomy, what joins them together is the fact that, they both speak the Yoruba language, they should keep close contact. Asiwaju further told Makinde to always reach him directly if he needs anything from him.”

(Source: The Will Nigeria)