Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has called on the people and stakeholders in Ekiti State to support the newly upgraded State Polytechnic, Ijero-Ekiti, in Ijero Local Government Area of the state. The institution was formerly known as the State College of Health Sciences and Technology. Oyebanji described the institution's elevation to polytechnic status as a historic milestone that would strengthen its academic, technological and administrative development.
The governor made the call during the second convocation ceremony of the institution, which was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Habitat Adubiaro, on his behalf. Oyebanji commended the Ekiti State House of Assembly, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Governing Council and the management for their roles in the institution's transformation. He urged stakeholders to sustain the momentum of support and help the institution rank among the best in Nigeria.
The governor outlined plans to strengthen the polytechnic's legal and administrative framework, secure full accreditation for its programmes and introduce market-relevant courses in technology, agriculture, health and the digital economy. Oyebanji also pledged government support for entrepreneurship and skills acquisition programmes to prepare graduates for self-employment rather than dependence solely on paid jobs. Additionally, efforts are underway to attract TETFund interventions and improve infrastructure, personnel development, lecture halls, laboratories, workshops, hostels and other facilities.
The Rector, Dr Olufemi Olubamise, described the convocation, the first to be held under its new polytechnic status, as a celebration of the institution's transformation and renewed hope. He said the institution had produced about 5,742 graduates between 2018 and 2026, comprising 343 distinctions, 1,951 upper credits, 2,720 lower credits, 661 passes and 67 merits. Olubamise highlighted the institution's expanded technical and vocational training through the Skills Acquisition Centre, NABTEB, TVET and Mandatory Skills Qualification programmes.
Dr Olubamise traced the institution's evolution from a Women Development Centre to the School of Health Technology and later the College of Health Sciences and Technology. The institution became an autonomous monotechnic in 2010 before attaining polytechnic status through legislation passed by the Ekiti State House of Assembly in December 2025. The rector said the institution now operates five schools covering Clinical Technology, Allied Health Sciences, Engineering, Finance, Business and Management Studies, and Pure and Applied Sciences.
The Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Femi Thomas, described the institution's development as a story of transformation and success. He said the upgrade had created new opportunities and responsibilities, including the need for more lecturers, buses, improved funding, additional infrastructure and an internal road linking the northern campus. The NBTE representative congratulated the institution and the graduates, highlighting the importance of vocational and technical education to national development.
The institution's convocation ceremony marked a significant milestone in its history, with stakeholders and dignitaries celebrating its transformation into a polytechnic. Key stakeholders, including the governor, the rector and the chairman of the governing council, emphasized the need for continued support and development to ensure the institution's growth and success. The institution's growth is expected to have a positive impact on the state's education sector and economy.
Key points
- Governor Oyebanji urges stakeholders to support the newly upgraded Ekiti State Polytechnic to rank among the best in Nigeria.
- The institution has produced 5,742 graduates between 2018 and 2026.
- The polytechnic's upgrade is expected to strengthen its academic, technological and administrative development.
