Mimiko urges Aiyedatiwa to revitalise existing tertiary institutions

Dr Abass Mimiko, a former governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Ondo State, has urged Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa to prioritise the revitalisation and funding of existing tertiary institutions before establishing new ones.

Mimiko made the call during an interview with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, in Ondo town on Sunday.

He said the state government should focus on improving the quality, staffing and infrastructure of existing universities, polytechnics and colleges of education rather than increasing the number.

Newsmen report that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), embarked on strike two months ago.

ASUU in Ondo and Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, also joined the strike over non-payment of salaries and lack of implementation of the FG-ASUU 2025 agreement by the state government.

Mimiko expressed concern over the reported loss of academic staff from AAUA , Federal Polytechnic, Owo and University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo.

The ZLP chieftain, who urged Aiyedatiwa to accord greater priority to education, said the quality of human capital available to a society was critical to its development.

“It’s not about the number of institutions we create. I don’t say we have enough schools. But you look at the purse and first make the ones we have operate at the best level.

“Akungba is losing lecturers by the tons. Owo polytechnic is losing them. UNIMED is empty. We just have to spend and incentivise our teachers at the higher institutions.

“I pray the governor will stand up, do the right thing, and make sure that our education is top-notch.

“Ondo cannot continue to pride itself as one of the most educated states in Nigeria while its tertiary institutions were experiencing industrial disputes and losing academic manpower.

“Investment in lecturers and other academic staff is an investment in the future of the state. Developed countries place a premium on teachers because of their role in producing skilled manpower,” he said.

He also expressed concern over the migration of lecturers from institutions in the state, arguing that students from Ondo State were capable of competing academically with their counterparts anywhere in the world.

The former candidate acknowledged the importance of establishing new educational institutions, and explained that an expansion should not come at the expense of adequate staffing, infrastructure and funding for existing schools.

Mimiko further urged the state government to take responsibility for addressing challenges peculiar to state-owned tertiary institutions, and distinguish them from issues affecting federal institutions.

He commended President Bola Tinubu’s interventions in the federal tertiary education secto, increased research funding and improved remuneration, but urged similar attention be given to state-owned institutions.

“If I was a governor, I will spare nothing at educating the children of Ondo State,” Mimiko said.