The Vice-Chancellor of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, Professor Olanrewaju Olaniyan, has issued a pressing appeal to the Federal Government. He is calling for the immediate construction of a pedestrian bridge on the busy Oyo–Ogbomoso Expressway to safeguard the lives of students.
A Critical Safety Hazard for Students
Professor Olaniyan highlighted the severe danger faced by the university community during a press briefing on Monday. The event was held ahead of the institution's third Foundation Day anniversary, which will culminate on December 16, 2025. He stated that thousands of students are forced to navigate the high-speed expressway every single day without a safe crossing point.
"The Oyo–Ogbomoso Expressway is a major safety concern for us," Olaniyan declared. He emphasized that the absence of a pedestrian bridge constitutes a serious welfare and security crisis. The Vice-Chancellor's direct appeal is for the Federal Ministry of Works to prioritize building a bridge directly in front of the university's main campus.
Economic Impact and Institutional Growth
Speaking alongside senior officials like the Registrar, Mrs. Olubunmi Asunmo, and the University Librarian, Dr. Olatundun Oluwatoyin Oyewumi, Olaniyan revealed the university's significant economic role. An internal analysis showed that the institution injected an estimated ₦11.2 billion into Oyo town's economy between January and November 2025.
This economic boost comes from student and staff spending on housing, transport, banking, and commerce. "If this university had not emerged from the former College of Education, the economy of Oyo town would not be what it is today," Olaniyan noted, describing the university as a primary economic stimulus for the area.
The institution, upgraded from a college on December 16, 2023, has experienced rapid expansion. It has secured approval for 50 academic programmes and enrolled 9,620 students across three sessions:
- 2,726 students in the 2023/2024 session.
- 3,034 students in the 2024/2025 session.
- 3,860 students for the 2025/2026 academic year.
Foundation Day and Future Challenges
A landmark event during the Foundation Day celebrations will be a historic convocation for 47,623 NCE graduates. These individuals completed their programmes between 2005 and 2025 but never had a graduation ceremony. "We owe these graduates a moral debt," the VC stated, explaining that this ceremony marks the full transition from college to university.
Olaniyan also shared staff promotion achievements and commended the Oyo State Government for support, including a ₦1 billion takeover fund and infrastructure projects. However, he stressed an urgent need for more facilities like a Senate building and additional faculty blocks to manage the growing student population.
Despite funding challenges, the Vice-Chancellor expressed strong optimism about the university's future, citing academic awards and research grants won by staff and students. "Emmanuel Alayande University is steadily reclaiming its place as the heartbeat of Oyo town," he concluded.
