Kogi govt spent N20bn on state varsity in two years — Commissioner

The Kogi State Government has spent N20 billion since the establishment of the state-owned university, Kogi State University (KSU), over the past two years.

The State Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, disclosed this on Thursday during a keynote address delivered at the Professor Mathew Ajibero memorial lecture, presented by Professor Lamidi Kehinde of Kogi State University, Kabba.

“The amount includes N6 billion spent on administrative blocks, lecture theatres, and classrooms, while N8 billion has been allocated for the Senate building, faculty of science, and male and female hostels,” he stated.

The Commissioner noted that the development brought to the Gbeleko host community by the university has been unprecedented, given the massive injection of funds into the institution’s growth.

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“The university has spurred viable commercial activities in Gbeleko, which happens to be the late Professor Ajibero’s community. I believe Ajibero himself would be grateful to the state government for what has been achieved in his community through the establishment of Kogi State University, Kabba,” he added.

He emphasized that the state government remains fully committed to the development of technical education, recognizing the enormous potential it holds for the state’s progress.

The guest lecturer, Professor Lamidi Kehinde, urged the state government to demonstrate political will by increasing funding allocations for vocational education, which he described as the future of the country.

“The era of white-collar jobs is long gone. Vocational training is the future, and every youth should embrace it,” the professor remarked.

The late Professor Mathew Ajibero was a former Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic.