OYSCATECH matriculates 2,268 for 2024/2025 Session, secures 25 new accreditations

The Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, has officially welcomed 2,268 new students into its National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programmes for the 2024/2025 academic session.

This was announced in a statement by the institution’s Director of Public Relations, Olawore Opeyemi, on Saturday.

The matriculation ceremony also came with an added reason for celebration as the Rector, Professor Akinola Akinlabi, revealed that the National Board for Technical Education had approved the accreditation of 25 new programmes for the college.

Speaking to the fresh students, Akinlabi explained that a rigorous admission process saw 1,661 candidates securing places in both full-time and part-time ND programmes, while 607 others were admitted into full-time and part-time HND programmes, bringing the total number of matriculated students to 2,268.

The Rector congratulated the students on their admission and urged them to take full advantage of the academic opportunities the institution offers.

He said, “For students who have been admitted, this is a great honour and rare opportunity for you to learn, socialise, acquire knowledge, skills and for other academic pursuits in the Polytechnic. Academic excellence is not the sole factor that determines students’ success in life. It is essential to cultivate a well-rounded personality.

“This means developing good communication and interpersonal skills, as they will be vital in your professional and personal life. Engage in co-curricular activities, join registered clubs and organisations, and volunteer in community service projects.

“The institution is unique and well respected as an institution that places a high premium on practical, entrepreneurship training, research and community services. Being a full-fledged polytechnic since April 2016, the College has adequate qualified manpower for effective general administration, teaching and research.”

Announcing the accreditation approval granted to 25 programmes of the institution by the NBTE, the Rector noted that 24 programmes gained full accreditation, which will last for five years, while the resource accreditation status has been granted to HND Statistic for the period of two years.

Akinlabi appreciated the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, for his unwavering effort in the continuous payment of salaries to staff, coupled with his efforts in Agriculture in Oyo State.

He hinted that ninety per cent of students with delay in NYSC Mobilisation have been duly mobilised, while promising that the few others will soon be attended to.

He also revealed that OYSCATECH is set to commence the running of some of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta degree programmes, which will provide an opportunity for people willing to top up their HND programmes and those interested in Direct Entry.

The Rector also used the occasion to enumerate some of his administrations achievements which include; procurement of 250 laptops for the re-accreditation of OYSCATECH ICT as JAMB CBT Centre, participation in Women in Agricultural Technical Education and Apprenticeship, a project which has given opportunity for some of the Staff to be trained in France, while 500 students were trained in various enterprises under the WATEA project.

Akinlabi hinted that the institution had received TETFund intervention for 2025, apart from the previous High Impact, Zonal and Annual Intervention received.