We’re Determined To Leave Better Education System For Lagos State – Says Tokunbo Wahab

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Education, Barr. Tokunbo Wahab, and other stakeholders in the education sector attended a Public Hearing two days ago, which seeks to reposition education in Lagos State.

The Public Hearing was on “A Bill For A Law To Establish The Lagos State University Of Science And Technology, University of Education, Lagos (UNEDLAG), And For Other Connected Purposes”.

The Bill proposes to repeal the extant Lagos State Polytechnic Law, Cap. L53, Laws of Lagos State, 2015, and set up the Lagos State University of Science and Technology to give the institution a wider and more elaborate coverage in line with its objectives to make it more attractive to prospective students.

It seeks to address the inadequacies in polytechnic educational system to achieve the objective of upgrading the Polytechnic to the status of a conventional University to provide courses of instruction, training and research relative to science, technology, commerce, management and such other fields of learning, leading to the award of Degrees or their equivalents.

It is also expected to give opportunity to students seeking admission for University Education as records have shown the significant drop in the enrolment of students into Polytechnic institution due to large preference for University education by prospective applicants and the investment of the State Government into Polytechnic institution are no longer commensurate. 

The Bill also seeks to repeal the extant laws on the Lagos State College of Education (Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education) and the Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED) and make it the University of Education Lagos (UNEDLAG). This became necessary due to the fact that NCE certificates have become archaic hence the need for an upgrade.

Sadly, the Lagos State University is the only State owned University they see as their first choice of institution, but is unable to fill the void and only very few students seeking admission into tertiary institutions would want to go to the polytechnic as presently operated, with majority of students taking the option only after having tried unsuccessfully to gain admission into the university.

Also present at the event were; Hon. Speaker of LAHA, RT. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni; Hon. Owolabi I. A, Chairman House Committe on Education; Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Agunbiade S. O. B; Permanent Secretary, Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Kasali; Mrs Aderinsola Olubanke Olanrewaju, Director, Legislative Drafting, Ministry of Justice; Traditional Rulers led by HRM, Engr. Kabiru Sotobi- Ayangburen of Ikorodu; other dignitaries and members of the public.

“We are indeed determined to leave a better education system for Lagos State and Lagosians” Barr. Tokunbo Wahab said.