The Oyo State Governor, 'Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, disclosed that the state will commence the push to make the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, a conventional university.

The governor, who spoke while receiving a report of the Oyo State negotiating committee on the institution, added that the government will equally move the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences of the institution to Iseyin.

He said that the Iseyin campus will open this year.

According to him, following the signing of the LAUTECH, Ogbomoso 2020 Bill into law, the state would apply to necessary authorities to change the university from a technology university to a conventional university so that it could be strengthened and enabled to handle other courses outside the technology bracket.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor stated these at the Executive Chamber of the Governor's Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

The decision to open the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences campus of LAUTECH is coming seven days after Governor Makinde declared in Iseyin that in six weeks, he would fulfill his electioneering promise of siting a higher institution of learning in the historical city.

While speaking, Governor Makinde said the Committee, led by Prof. Ayodeji Omole, was assigned the responsibility of dissolving the joint ownership of LAUTECH between Oyo and Osun states about fifteen months ago, stating that members of the committee have fulfilled their mandate.

The governor appreciated the Committee for getting the job done, while also lauding its Osun State counterpart, by Prof. Olu Aina, as well as the Governor of Osun State, Chief Gboyega Oyetola, who, he said, "put aside all differences, especially partisan politics all through these negotiations." 

Makinde said: “You will recall that I promised that we will announce the creation of a higher institution of learning in Iseyin. A decision has been taken and that decision is that the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences will open its campus in Iseyin this year.