Political Showdown: Daniel And Gov Abiodun Lock Horns Over Federal Government’s TASUED Takeover

Daniel, in an open letter to Governor Abiodun that quickly gained widespread attention, criticized the recent takeover of the state-owned Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ijagun by the Federal Government. While he acknowledged the positive aspects of the intervention, Daniel blamed Abiodun for failing to prioritize the funding of the state’s tertiary education system, which ultimately led to the university’s acquisition by the federal government.

In response, Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, dismissed Daniel’s accusations, accusing him of attempting to undermine the President’s well-intentioned actions regarding the university’s takeover.

Daniel’s letter recalled that his administration had established TASUED in February 2005 to provide an alternative university for the growing number of students, given that Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago Iwoye could only admit 3,500 students at the time.

While praising the intervention of President Bola Tinubu’s Federal Government in rescuing the university from collapse due to neglect and underfunding, Daniel expressed concerns that the takeover would erode Ogun State’s control over admission quotas, which had been one of the primary advantages of having a state-run institution.

Daniel’s letter questioned the allocation of funds for education in Ogun’s budget, pointing out the state’s N1 trillion budget while asking why more was not being invested in education. He suggested that the acquisition of TASUED highlighted the state’s failure to adequately fund the institution.

He also lamented that with the university now under federal control, leadership could come from any part of the country, potentially impacting the chances of local students gaining admission.

Daniel further challenged the Abiodun administration to address the neglect of other state-owned institutions, including four ICT polytechnics, and called for a renewed focus on improving these facilities. He warned that if the state could not fund its institutions adequately, it might experience more federal takeovers.

In his rebuttal, Akinmade dismissed Daniel’s letter as politically motivated and accused him of mischief. He pointed out that under Abiodun’s leadership, Ogun’s education sector had seen significant investment and infrastructural development.

Akinmade explained that the Federal Government’s takeover of TASUED was in the best interest of equitable distribution of federal institutions, rather than a result of underfunding. He emphasized that the state had already made substantial investments in TASUED, improving its infrastructure and providing funding.

With the university now a federal institution, Akinmade argued that it would benefit from greater support, including access to TETFund and increased budget allocations, which would ensure its long-term success.

Akinmade concluded by questioning the true intent behind Daniel’s letter, describing it as filled with mischaracterizations and insinuations, and accusing him of political opportunism rather than offering constructive criticism.