Soun commissions American Open University Ogbomoso Centre, as founder unveils scholarship progs for indigenes, recalls how he almost trekked from Ede to Ogbomoso

Soun commissions American Open University Ogbomoso Centre, as founder unveils scholarship progs for indigenes, recalls how he almost trekked from Ede to Ogbomoso

American Open University Nigeria and American College of Technology Nigeria Ogbomoso centre was officially opened on Saturday October 10, 2026, by Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland. The university is founded by Dr. Seyi Akanbi, an American based scholar.

Femi OGUNLANA

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Another history was made in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Saturday, as the American Open University, Nigeria, with global campus in Ibadan, and metro campus at Abeokuta, Ogun state, officially opened its Ogbomoso centre. Meanwhile, it was a two-in-one event as its American College of Technology, Nigeria (a polytechnic), also, was flagged off.

The Soun of Ogbomosoland Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, who performed the symbolic cutting of tape through his representative, the Abese of Ogbomosoland High Chief Kasali Oladipupo, commended the initiative and the choice of Ogbomoso, affirming it aligns with his 25 year-development plans.

The Abese said the Soun left the opulence of America to take up traditional roles asserting development of Ogbomosoland is thus is avowed goal.

“Since the ascendancy of His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, to the throne of his forefathers, God has actually blessed Ogbomoso. He is inspired by God to leave the opulence of USA where he held enviable and successful positions to come and settle for traditional titles after which he came up with development programmes divided into seven emergent areas, but I will only mention three relevant to this programme.

“One is economic development. Desiring that Ogbomoso is not left behind, he gave encouragement to the establishment of American Open University centre in Ogbomoso. Again, at the Ogbomoso Education Summit (held recently), he said he is going to increase the involvement of Ogbomoso youths and integrate them into the global economy. This is one of the areas.

“Further, His Imperial Majesty’s presence in Ogbomosoland has created a leverage for Ogbomosos in diaspora to bring back their resources and invest in Ogbomoso, he is making them have belief in Ogbomoso and invest or bring back their resources to Ogbomoso. This he is doing and ensuring that no land abuse or fraudulent activities is entrenched in Ogbomosoland. Land use in Ogbomoso is being made to be transparent, and its acquisition clear, devoid of frauds.”

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The Abese urged the rich to assist diligent students whose parents don’t have the wherewithal and take them up as a project, get them employment, and take them abroad, positing it is never lost and that it is an investment for the future.

He assured of Soun’s support for the institution.

The keynote speaker, Prof. Adeolu Afolabi of the Department of Cybersecurity, LAUTECH, speaking on the topic, “Repositioning Ogbomoso for the Global Economy,” described the event as “quite a laudable development in the right direction, more so, when this is one of the envisioned developments anticipated by Kabiyesi His imperial Majesty in his 25 year- Development Plan of Ogbomosoland. Ogbomoso Education Development plan is a strong vision and passion of His Imperial Majesty and this vision is actually expressed by this feat, particularly with a view of providing a global and tech leverage in tertiary Education.”

Prof Afolabi notes that Ogbomoso is well-positioned to take advantage of the emerging global economy, based on its resources such as population size, trading and agricultural dominance especially in crops like cashew, mango, cassava, yam etc, good climate, and educational landmarks such as producing early a professor, host to four degree-awarding institutions of higher learning (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS), Bowen University Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso (BUTH), and the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, and the upcoming National Academy for Cultural Studies, NACUS).

Prof Adeolu Afolabi

“So, with this background, the coming of American Open University in Ogbomoso will further foster Ogbomoso repositioning for global Academic, Technology and Economic impact. Being an Open University, it will provide framework, a hub and leverage for hybrid learning being driven with latest asynchronous learning infrastructure in collaborations with global icons of open learning institutions like Coursera, Google, aws educate and others, this is going to provide and foster collaboration, skill development and broadens inclusivity of Ogbomoso and Ogbomoso people in Tech and academic development for global and local relevance in solving existential challenges of our time.”

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The scholar canvasses the development of “Ogbomoso Valley,” patterned after the legendary “Silicon Valley” (a hub of global technology in USA), emphasizing that the future of global economy would be shaped “likely by technological innovation, sustainability efforts and shifting power dynamics. Artificial intelligence, automation and green energy will redefine industries and job markets.”

He posits that if Ogbomoso is “well positioned for global economy,” it has immense “promises to be an emerging economy like India are poised to climb the global economy rankings, challenging the dominance of current leaders.”

In various goodwill messages the establishment was commended while the promoters were urged to grow and expand their facilities in Ogbomoso.

Dr Seyi Akanbi proprietor American Open University Nigeria and American College of Technology

Meanwhile, the founder, Dr. Seyi David Akanbi, who recalled his challenging background growing up in Ogbomoso, informed the journey to have the university, started eleven years ago and only got approval this year. He enthused that because some people he came across in Ogbomoso contributed in shaping him for success, he had the compunction to bring the centre to Ogbomoso for her people to benefit.

Dr Akanbi, who is also the CEO of Edge Technologies, Ibadan, and who disclosed he was a member of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Jesus House DC, Washington, USA, pastored by Oba Ghandi for over 30 years before he ascended the throne, underlined that the future belongs to only the youths who are technologically shrewd, saying the American Open University is established to impart that knowledge.

“Over half of today’s jobs are on the verge of disappearing due to automation, and higher technical skills and adaptive competencies are becoming vital for individual and societal growth. The demand for tech-savvy, future – ready professionals has never been greater. Technology is transforming every sector of life, and the pace of change will only accelerate in the years ahead.”

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The scholar pointed out that the incursion by the social media platforms, global e-commerce systems, and mobile app are redefining today’s economy, suggesting this trend will continue, and therefore stressed the urgent need for the redesigning of education to get people ready for the future.

“This is the reason American Open University exists,” he asserted, further submitting, “Our mission is to develop an employable, competitive and globally relevant workforce for the digital economy.”

Akanbi who was production manager of Ogbomoso Insight newspaper in the paper’s early days, added that American Open University “engages with industry partners, collaborates on research, and creates opportunities for innovation and talent development.”

He said they have programmes designed that “emphasize applied learning competency verification, and professional pathways that help students graduate with demonstrable skills and workforce-ready portfolios.”

Mr. Bukola Audio, Registrar of the institution

He further highlighted that the university is poised to produce graduates who would not have to look for jobs but be sought by jobs.

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The Artificial Intelligence expert now unveils their programmes promising to give Ogbomoso indigenes who applied and are admitted early, 75 percent scholarship opportunities for students in the university section while those in the American College of Technology segment, will enjoy full scholarships.

He said he instituted this so that the children without the wherewithal would not have to undergo the hardship he mentioned he underwent as a higher institution student when he had to drop out because of financial constraints and was set to trek down to Ogbomoso from The Federal Polytechnic Ede, Osun state, because he had no transport fares and no one to help out. “But God sent an angel to me who gave me a lift along the way, the man just parked by my side, at Ara junction, opened the door, never asked me where I was going, and I never I asked him too, as I hopped in, and we had no conversation till we got to Ogbomoso, where he stopped and dropped me at Ora Garage, from where I trekked home.”

“Opening global opportunities,” the university offers first degree programmes in Data Science, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Entrepreneurship and Business Information Technology.

For the Master’s programmes, courses are available in Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Information Technology (MIT), and Master of Public Administration (MPA). It also offers Professional Certificate Programmes in Cybersecurity, Data Analytics & Business Intelligence, eLearning Development, AI Development & Deployment and Agile Project Management.

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For its College of Technology, students can earn National Diploma (ND) in such programmes as Computer Science, Forensic Technology, Multimedia Technology and Artificial Intelligence.

The Ogbomoso Centre located at Banjo House, opposite Laogun Petrol Station, Idi-Oro, will start to attend to applicants as from Monday, October 12. “Just score more than 100 in UTME, and you can start the journey,” it was stated.

Open universities are designed for admission of secondary school leavers who sat for UTME and for employed professionals of all ages, who have prerequisite qualifications. It is an online university.

Dignitaries at the event included, the Soun represented by the Abese; Alaaje of Aje Ologo Ogbomoso, HRH Oba Reuben Adesina Amao JP; Olowode of Owode, HRH High Chief Akinkunmi Areo; CSP Ganiyu Solademi, a retired Custom Officer; High Chief Abdulmajeed Oladimeji Solademi (represented by Ms Idayat Solademi); Chief Pekun Olaleye, Agbaakin of Okin-Apa; and Dr Abiodun Oyeyemi Esq.

Some others are Prof Adeolu Afolabi and his wife; Mr. Femi Ogunlana, publisher of The Insight Newspaper and ogbomosoinsightonline.com; Dr Segun Ogunwobi, secretary of Ogbomoso Education Committee under the auspices of Oba Ghandi’s 25 year Development Plan; Rev’d Dr Tayo Adeyanju, minister-in-charge of Sabo Baptist Church, Ogbomoso; Rev’d (Dr) Niyi Adebayo, proprietor of Zoe Schools and JAARC CBT Centre, represented by Engr Stephen Akinpelu; Hon Oyedokun Timothy, chairman of Ogbomoso South local government, represented by Dr Damilare Amusan; and Rev’d Peter Olaleye, Special Adviser to Oba Ghandi on Community Relations.

American Open University Nigeria and American College of Technology Nigeria Ogbomoso centre