Ex-bursar hails OYSCATECH’s academic advancement as 18 staff earn PhDs

Dr Sarafa Agbogun

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A former bursar and forensic expert at the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Dr. Sarafa Agbogun, has hailed the institution’s leadership for what he described as a historic turnaround in academic capacity development.

Agbogun noted that the institution had 18 staff members earn PhDs between 2024 and 2025, alongside numerous master’s degrees and professional certifications.

This commendation was directed to the Rector, Prof. Akinola Akinlabi.

Agbogun said the scale and speed of academic advancement recorded at OYSCATECH “are not common in a polytechnic set-up,” praising the management for creating the conditions that enabled an academic boom seldom seen in tertiary institutions of similar status.

This was disclosed in a statement shared with PUNCH Online on Saturday, titled “Agbogun Applauds Rector, Management over Staff Development as OYSCATECH Gets 18 PhD Holders, Others in Quick Succession,” and released by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Opeyemi Olawore.

Agbogun’s commendation was prompted by the most recent milestone: the successful PhD convocation of four senior staff members at the 17th Convocation Ceremony of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo.

Overwhelmed by the progress, he said staff development at OYSCATECH is “unparalleled.”

In his letter, he stressed: “Between 2024 and 2025, over eighteen (18) staff members bagged PhD from various universities, including Master’s Degree, additional Degrees and professional certifications from professional bodies.”

He further revealed that the Rector’s personal involvement has been instrumental in boosting staff morale and institutional prestige.

He congratulated Prof. Akinlabi for attending the Ajayi Crowther University convocation “to witness the ceremony and to present a congratulatory message to the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of the institution.”

According to Agbogun, the surge in academic qualifications is not a coincidence but the result of clear policies and supportive leadership.

He emphasised that “annually, a larger percentage of Staff of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora acquire PhD certificates, MSc, Bachelor’s Degrees and Professional certifications.”

He attributed the trend to the management’s commitment to enabling growth, stating that OYSCATECH—though a polytechnic—now shows academic indicators comparable to an emerging university.

He declared that OYSCATECH is “a potential University with the level of its capacity development.”

He also expressed gratitude to TETFund for supporting staff through funded capacity-building programmes.

Agbogun extended warm congratulations to the growing list of staff who attained doctoral status across Nigerian and foreign universities. The list includes graduates from Ajayi Crowther University, Federal University of Technology Akure, University of Ibadan, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, and North West University in South Africa.

He commended their determination, stating he “saluted the doggedness of the Staff Members in improving their capacity.”

The forensic expert concluded with a prayer for continued progress for the institution, saying he “prayed for more advancement for both staff and Students as well as the institution.”

Tosin, with over six years' experience, conducts incisive interviews, pens engaging features, subedits and delivers impactful stories for the digital sphere.

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