Technical University matriculates first set of students

THE vice-chancellor of the Technical University, Ibadan, Professor Ayobami Salami, said the university is expecting to matriculate between 150 and 180 students on Friday, March 9, 2018, during the institution’s first matriculation exercise.

According to him, a world-class entrepreneur and geologist, Chief (Dr) Tunde Afolabi, will also be installed at the event as the chancellor by the Visitor to the university, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State.

Professor Salami disclosed these on Thursday during a brief media chat with newsmen in his office.

Visibly excited, the pioneer vice chancellor of the first Technical University in Africa said his team had already exceeded expectations by the sheer number of students who had shown (and were still showing) interest in the university.

“We thought it necessary to update and keep you abreast of developments and let you know that as the Technical University, we are living up to our promises; that what we said we would do, we are doing. We’re walking the talk,” he enthused.

Salami said that 120 students were already in residence as at Thursday, while over 30 others were having their admission processed.

“Other people have just changed their first choice to this university. We have over 30 students again whose admission is being processed. So, by the time we do our matriculation on Friday, God willing, we should be having around 150 to 180 students,” he said.

This, he stressed, “is a very major achievement. We have surpassed even the master plan for the university. I don’t know how many universities in Nigeria commenced with more than 50 students in their first year.

“In our master plan, those who put the document together expected that at takeoff we would have 50 students; but we have gone beyond that.”

Professor Salami noted that the interest the university has generated within a short time is a testimony to the fact that it has a very wide acceptability.

“You will recall that this university took off four months after JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board) had concluded its examination last year – meaning no student had the opportunity to choose us as the first choice. Everybody that is coming in had to change their original university to Technical University.

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“To have this number of students shows that the public has really given us massive support,” he noted.

According to him, the students currently on campus are from 11 states of the federation and from four geopolitical zones – Southwest, Southeast, South-south and North-central.

He acknowledged and lauded the support and the confidence the public has in the university. He also thanked the Oyo State government, especially the governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who he said had been a pillar of support to the university.

“He is highly committed to this vision. He has given everything within his power to support us,” he said.

On hostel accommodation, the vice-chancellor said the university is about to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with a private developer for the construction of a 1,200 capacity hostel accommodation for students.