Becoming reality: Ogbomoso University gets commencement date, NUC due for visit October

Image caption; Aerial view of Pine Valley High School, proposed takeoff site of The Ogbomoso University (TOU)

Becoming reality: Ogbomoso University gets commencement date, NUC due for visit October

Femi OGUNLANA

The dream of having a private university in Ogbomoso Oyo state is gradually becoming a reality following the payment of the twenty-five million naira (₦25m) registration fee to the National Universities Commission (NUC).

This revelation is contained in literatures about the proposed university made available at the maiden Ogbomoso Education Summit held Tuesday at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology LAUTECH, Ogbomoso obtained by ogbomosoinsightonline.com.

According to one of the literatures produced by the university’s promoters, the Ogbomoso Academics, the institution, whose proposed name is The Ogbomoso University (TOU), is projected to take off with academic activities in September 2026 at the Pine Valley High School, Egbeda, Ogbomoso.

Four other locations are listed including Iresaadu, Iresaapa, Oolo and Aipo, which are spread across Surulere and Ogo-Oluwa local governments. The Pine Valley High School which is proposed to be the main campus and takeoff point is a facility owned by the chairman of the Ogbomoso Academics, Professor Timothy Olagbemiro.

“We have secured and paid for lands at Iresa-Apa, Iresa-Adu, Aipo, Oolo with our plan acquire and pay for the facilities of the former Pine Valley High School Egbeda, the Surulere local government,” it is stated.

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Various key stages have been crossed in the endeavour, it is further revealed, including submission of letter of intent, payment of application fees of ₦1m, submission of documents (academic brief, draft university laws, and the campus master plan), and payment of ₦25m processing fee.

Recall the Federal Government in August placed a 7-year embargo on establishment of new federal institutions including universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, the Ogbomoso Academics however assured the moratorium had no effect on their quest submitting they had an “active” application and added that a NUC team would soon come for an on-location assessment.

“The NUC regards our application as Active, and a visitation to our proposed take-off site at the former Pine Valley High School is already scheduled for the second week of October 2025.

“There is no ban on active private university applications, and ours is moving forward strongly.

“By the grace of God, academic work at the Ogbomoso University is projected to commence in September 2026/2027 session.”

The promoters consequently called on Ogbomoso indigenes, state and local governments, friends of Ogbomoso and so on to support the initiative while commending the recent support by Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III the Soun of Ogbomosoland, which it is stated has bolstered the drive to make the dream a reality.

Investigations revealed the monarch indeed signed some of the documents submitted to the NUC since “it aligns with His Majesty’s 25 year-development plan.”

“The long-cherished dream of establishing a homegrown university – The Ogbomoso University, Ogbomoso – which the Ogbomoso Academics have nurtured since 2018, is becoming a reality. With the fatherly support and wise counsel of our Kabiyesi, the vision has gained remarkable strength and direction.”

They thanked all others for their contributions towards the success recorded so far, noting “your contributions are already yielding tangible progress.”

The need for such institution in Ogbomoso is convincingly justified stressing it would be harbinger of good things like improved educational, social and economic opportunities. “Therefore it is crucial that all Ogbomoso sons and daughters at home and in Diaspora, should see the development of a tertiary institution in Ogbomoso would be a win-win situation for our people.”

It was additionally pointed out, ‘Brothers and sisters, we are not speaking of dreams – we are speaking of a project that is already alive, moving, and awaiting our collective ownership.”

Soliciting “generous contributions,” the contact of the fundraising committee for the project is given.

Chairman: Adeniyi T. Adetunji PhD

Phone number: 08140790217

Email address: niyi.adetunji1@gmail.com.

Account details:

Bank name: United Bank for Africa (UBA)

Account name: Ogbomoso Academics

Account number: 1026263033

Donations can be made via the above account details and such donors would have joined ‘the legacy” and if the donation crossed certain thresholds he or she would become a prospective shareholder in the venture.

The next major stages are the most challenging meanwhile, proof of financial capability and building of infrastructure and facilities thus a sum of between ₦6b and ₦8b is projected as costs for takeoff.