By: Femi Emmanuel
Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Oyo State, on Thursday, February 12, 2026, held its maiden combined convocation ceremony for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions, marking a historic milestone in the institution’s young but fast-rising academic journey.
The event, held at the Polytechnic’s Permanent Site in Ayede, Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area, witnessed the graduation of a total of 325 National Diploma students, alongside the conferment of Fellowship Awards on eminent Nigerians who have contributed significantly to education and national development.
Delivering the convocation address, the Pioneer Rector, Engr. Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed (FNSE), described the ceremony as a celebration of resilience, purposeful leadership, and collective commitment to technical and vocational education.
“This ceremony formally presents to the world the first sets of graduates produced by Federal Polytechnic Ayede. It is a testament to what vision, dedication, and collaboration can achieve within a short period,” the Rector said.
He expressed profound gratitude to the Visitor to the institution, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), for sustained support through the Renewed Hope Agenda, as well as to the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), TETFund, and other regulatory bodies for their guidance and accreditation support.
The Rector also acknowledged the Governing Council, led by Hon. Yakubu Dati (FNIPR), Management, Academic Board, staff, and students for their sacrifices and belief in the institution’s vision.
Special appreciation was extended to traditional rulers and host communities, particularly the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, and other monarchs across Ogbomosoland, for their consistent support and advocacy. The people of Ayede and surrounding communities were commended for their hospitality and peaceful coexistence.
Highlighting achievements since its establishment in January 2021, the Rector disclosed that the Polytechnic now runs 13 NBTE-accredited National Diploma programmes across five schools, having commenced academic activities in 2023. He noted that Federal Polytechnic Ayede has distinguished itself among the six newly established polytechnics in Nigeria through rapid infrastructural development, strong regulatory compliance, and innovative skills acquisition programmes.
He revealed that all graduating students leave the institution not only with National Diplomas but also with at least two additional vocational certificates, making them employers of labour rather than job seekers.
On infrastructure, the Rector announced that access road construction to the Permanent Site from Idi-Araba has commenced, facilitated by the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adelabu Adedeji, while reaffirming the Polytechnic’s resolve to fully relocate to its Permanent Site in Ayede.
Providing statistics on the graduands, the Rector disclosed that 138 students graduated in the 2023/2024 session, while 187 students completed their programmes in the 2024/2025 session. He announced Miss Taiwo Ibukunoluwa Arinola (Science Laboratory Technology, CGPA 3.96) and Mr. Olapese Quadri Ayofe (Agricultural Technology, CGPA 3.96) as the overall best graduating students for the respective sessions.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Hon. Yakubu Dati (FNIPR), described the convocation as a defining milestone that celebrates vision, partnership, and the triumph of collective effort in technical education.
Addressing the graduands, Dati charged them to uphold integrity, professionalism, innovation, and service, reminding them that they remain lifelong ambassadors of the institution. He reaffirmed the Governing Council’s commitment to sound governance, infrastructure expansion, staff welfare, and industry partnerships.
He also commended the Federal Government for establishing the Polytechnic and acknowledged key initiatives such as the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF) for enhancing access to education and staff welfare.
The convocation ceremony also featured the conferment of Fellowship Awards on Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas (GCON), Speaker of the House of Representatives; Dr. Zacch Adelabu Adedeji, Executive Chairman of NRS; and Engr. Dr. Abubakar Isa, Chairman/CEO of Spectrum Engineering Ltd., in recognition of their outstanding contributions to education and humanity.
Both the Rector and the Council Chairman appealed to governments, corporate organisations, philanthropists, and host communities to support the institution in critical areas such as access roads, staff and student accommodation, electricity, water supply, healthcare, and digital infrastructure.
The maiden convocation ceremony concluded with renewed commitment by stakeholders to position Federal Polytechnic Ayede as a leading centre of excellence in technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial education in Nigeria.
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