A former governor of Ogun State and senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, and the incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun, clashed on Thursday over allegations of neglect and underfunding of tertiary institutions in the state, following the recent federal takeover of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun.
In an open letter that went viral, Daniel welcomed the takeover but criticized Abiodun for failing to prioritize funding for tertiary education, calling it a “bitter-sweet” development and an “indictment” on the state’s leadership.
Daniel, who established TASUED in 2005, argued that the university was created to expand admission opportunities for Ogun students and provide employment. He lamented that its transfer to federal ownership could reduce the state’s admission quotas and local employment benefits.
“Our people will ask, what percentage of our N1 trillion budget is allocated to education?” Daniel questioned, urging the state government to redirect saved funds to other struggling institutions, including four ICT polytechnics and the Gateway Industrial and Petro-Gas Institute.
In response, Governor Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, dismissed Daniel’s claims as “needless criticism” and “political opportunism.”
He argued that Ogun’s education sector had seen increased investments and infrastructure development under Abiodun, adding that TASUED’s new federal status would grant it access to better funding and academic resources.
“It is perplexing that a senator who claims to advocate for future generations would resist such progress,” Akinmade stated, asserting that the takeover was in the best interest of the state.
The heated exchange underscores growing political tensions between both leaders, particularly on education policies in Ogun State.
