Gbenga Daniel knocks Abiodun’s govt over FG’s acquisition of TASUED

The Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has criticised the Ogun State government over the federal government’s unilateral takeover of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, describing it as an indictment on the state’s ability to manage its institutions.

Daniel, whose administration established TASUED in 2005 as Nigeria’s first university of education, faulted Governor Dapo Abiodun’s government for failing to maintain the institution, which he said had attained global recognition as the second university of education in Africa.

In an open letter dated 18 March 2025, addressed to Governor Abiodun, Daniel questioned why the state government could not sustain the institution and other state-owned tertiary institutions despite a budget exceeding one trillion naira.

He warned that the federal takeover would have significant disadvantages, particularly in employment generation and admission opportunities for Ogun State indigenes. According to him, the acquisition strips the state of its capacity to appoint the vice-chancellor, principal officers, administrative, and academic staff, thereby limiting employment opportunities for Ogun residents.

Daniel noted that state-owned institutions in Ogun had suffered neglect under the present administration, which he suggested led to the federal government’s intervention. He urged the government to redirect its education budget towards revitalising other institutions to prevent a repeat of TASUED’s situation.

He emphasised that posterity would judge the Abiodun administration if it allowed institutions such as the Gateway Industrial and Petro-Gas Institute, Oni; DS Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori; Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade; Abraham Adesanya ICT Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo; and ICT Polytechnic, Igbesa, to suffer the same fate.

In the letter, Daniel acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention in rescuing TASUED from neglect but cautioned that the loss of state control meant Ogun might now have reduced admission quotas, with appointments at the institution falling under federal jurisdiction.

He called on Governor Abiodun, as an Ogun East native, to ensure that specialised institutions in the region did not go into extinction under his leadership, stressing the need for commitment to public service for the benefit of the people.