Prof Olusegun Ladimeji Oke was appointed as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Oyo State University of Technology (OSUTECH), Ogbomoso, following the greenlight from the Federal Military Government of Nigeria that the state-owned institution should commence academic operation on March 13, 1990.
OSUTECH is today known as the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), located in Ogbomosho, the hometown of former premier of Western region, Chief Ladoke Akintola.
Oke was in-charge till June 1997, and was succeeded by Prof. Akinola Muritala Salau, one of the longest serving Vice-Chancellor of the institution.
From date of commencement of the institution, nine Vice-Chancellors have steered the affairs of LAUTECH, each from Oyo and Osun states until the former took sole ownership November 20, 2020.
From Prof. Oke to date
Here is a full list former and incumbent Vice-Chancellors of LAUTECH from the day of inception to date:
1) Prof. Olusegun Ladimeji Oke: 2 May 1990 – June 1997
2) Prof. Akinola Muritala Salau: 15 June 1997 – 22 May 2005
Salau was first appointed as a sole administrator on 15 June 1997 as a sole, the position he held to July 1999. Beginning from 5 July 1999, the new civilian government appointed him as as the Acting VC until 22 May 2000.
It can be said that the cerebral Salau served as the second substantive Vice-Chancellor of LAUTECH, following the confirmation of his appointment on 2 May 2000. he was in office till May 22, 2005.
3) Professor Tesleem Iyiola Raji: 23 May 2005 – 31 September 2005
4) Professor Babatunde Adeleke: 1 October 2005 – 30 September 2010
NOTE: Prof. Adeleke earlier served as the Rector of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, between 15 January 2002 to 30 September 2005.
5) Prof. Moshood Lanrewaju Nassar (Acting): September 2010 – 29 July 2011
6) Prof. Adeniyi Sulaimon Gbadegesin: 29 July 2011 – 14 February 2019
Prof. Gbadegesin, like Prof. Salau, first served in acting capacity from 29 July 2011 till 13 February 2014, when the state government ratified his appointment.
7) Prof Michael Olufisayo Ologunde: 14 February 2019 – 16 April 2021
8) Prof Mojeed Olaide Liasu (Acting): 16 April 2021 – 6 June 2023
9) Prof Razaq Olatunde Rom Kalilu (Acting): 6 June 2023 – to date
Brief history of LAUTECH
Prof Olusegun Ladimeji Oke, a renowned chemist, was the pioneer Vice Chancellor of LAUTECH, following his appointment on May 2, 1990, by the Military administrator of Oyo State Colonel Sasaenia Oresanya.
On 13 March 1990, the military government in Oyo state under the leadership of the military administrator, Colonel Sasaenia Oresanya (27 July 1988 – August 1990), gave a go-ahead for the establishment of Oyo State University of Technology, Ogbomoso (OSUTECH).
His predecessor, Col. Adetunji Olurin, had in 1988, formed a seven-member interministerial committee, which recommended Oyo state-owned university.
On 23 April 1990, Oresanya signed an edict for the commencement of the institution to be known as Oyo State University of Technology, Ogbomoso.
Subsequently, Col. Oresanya approved the appointment of Prof. Olusegun Ladimeji Oke on 2 May 1990 as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the institution.
In January 1991, the new military administrator at the time Col. Abdulkareem Adisa appointed Chief MKO Abiola as the pioneer Chancellor of OSUTECH.
By 19 October 1990, OSUTECH had commenced its first academic session with 436 students with four faculties, including Pure & Applied Science, Agricultural Science, Engineering & Management Science, and Environmental science
Commencement of joint-ownership
Following the creation of Osun State from the old Oyo on 27 August 1991, both state governments agreed in 1991 that the institution be named after Chief Ladoke Akintola, the late western region premier and OSUTECH was changed to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology – LAUTECH for short – as the new name.
The end of joint-ownership
It got to a time, the joint ownership deal started posing problem for both states, leading to short down of campus and academic activities several times.
By 20 November 2020, Governor Seyi Makinde agreed to pay off Osun State Government with the sum of N8 Billion as part of asset-sharing negotiation. The payment was to be made in four instalments over a period of three years as follows:
- N1bn to be paid in January 2021
- N1bn to be paid in December 2021
- N3bn to be paid 2022
- Last N3bn to be paid in 2023
On 20 January 2021, the first tranche of the agreement was released to Osun State government.
Plan to change from LAUTECH to LAU
On 8 February 2022, Governor Makinde proposed a name change by sending the 2022 LAUTECH Amendment Bill to the Oyo State House of Assembly in order to make institution a conventional one to accommodate other programmes such as Arts, Law, and Social Science programmes and will be known as Ladoke Akintola University (LAU)
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