Ayinde Soaga, National President of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) Alumni Association, has called on the Ogun State Government to increase funding for polytechnic education.
Currently, the institution receives only 20.75 million naira monthly from the state government, a figure that has remained unchanged for over a decade, despite monthly salaries totaling 210 million naira.
Soaga stressed the need to increase funding to the institution by the government during a press conference at the polytechnic.
He said: "I believe that the government should increase its allocation to education, particularly to polytechnic education. For institutions like MAPOLY, much more funding is required. The current funding is inadequate for the kind of teaching and hands-on training that polytechnics demand.">
Soaga commended MAPOLY for producing graduates who excel nationwide in fields such as accounting, mass communication, architecture, and engineering.
He stated: "Polytechnic education is not just about reading and theory; it is about demonstration and competence. I am proud that MAPOLY has distinguished itself by producing graduates who have excelled nationwide, especially in hands-on fields such as accounting, mass communication, architecture, and engineering, among others. These institutions need more resources to provide the level of practical training required. What is currently provided is simply not enough.">
Soaga urged graduates to prioritize entrepreneurship over job-seeking, citing his personal experience after graduating in 1985.
He advised: "My message to graduates today is this: be self-reliant. Do not depend solely on salaried jobs, especially government jobs. Use the skills you have acquired here. Polytechnic training equips you with practical abilities—skills you can use to create opportunities for yourself.">
On infrastructure, Soaga expressed concern over the poor state of campus roads and pledged that the alumni association would collaborate with stakeholders to improve facilities.
He described MAPOLY as "a beacon of technical, vocational, and professional excellence" and called on alumni, stakeholders, and partners to support the institution through mentorship, infrastructure development, scholarships, and strategic initiatives.