House Committee on Agric. Colleges and Institutions Holds Public Hearing on Establishment of Federal University of Agriculture, Forestry and Technology, Igboora , Oyo State Bill

The House Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions has held a public hearing on the Bill to establish the Federal University of Agriculture, Forestry and Technology, Igboora (HB1172), sponsored by member representing Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, Hon. (Dr.) Anthony Adebayo Adepoju.

The public hearing, which was well-attended by various stakeholders, was held at Committee Room 028 of the House of Representatives on Monday, May 19, 2025.

The establishment bill was spoken to by Hon. Adepoju’s Senior Legislative Aide, Barr. Lekan Awolusi, who argued that there currently exists an Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, with a large and expansive land space to accommodate a University, thus saving the federal government of Nigeria an exorbitant amount in terms of establishment costs.

According to him, Igboora, as an agrarian community, is a natural habitat for the proposed University. In his presentation, Barrister Awolusi stressed that, given the current economic situation in Nigeria, it is understandable that the cost of embarking on the establishment of a new university will not only be time-consuming but also demand a huge amount of money—the bottlenecks that, he said, have been removed by the existing Igboora College of Agriculture, which is already a full-fledged institution.

“All that will cost the federal government of Nigeria is to upgrade to have the first-ever Federal University of Agriculture in Oyo State,” he debated.

The Bill, however, was endorsed by the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) in its memo submitted by its Acting Executive Secretary to the Committee. The proposed law was also graciously supported by Hon. (Dr.) Adedayo Samuel Adesola, member representing Apapa Federal Constituency, Lagos State, who also doubles as the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Health Institutions—a lover of Igboora, who had trained at Igboora General Hospital when he was a medical student years ago.

The lawmaker appreciated the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, for his leadership and love for the people of Ibarapa Land. He also thanked all the constituents in Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North for their continued support, wishing that the fruition of the bill would be a blessing to everyone.

Hassan Adesodi Olaoniye
Special Adviser to Hon. (Dr.) Adebayo Adepoju (Media and Publicity)
May 19, 2025