Ayo Arise Clarifies Role in FUOYE Establishment

Former Senator Ayo Arise, who represented Ekiti North Senatorial District from 2007 to 2011, recounted his pivotal role in the establishment of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE). He stated that following President Goodluck Jonathan's announcement on November 28, 2010, regarding the creation of six new federal universities, he promptly wrote to the Minister of Education through the then Permanent Secretary, Professor Oladapo Afolabi, requesting that one of the universities be located in Oye-Ekiti.

Arise met with the then Minister of State for Education, Kenneth Gbagi, and other officials, where it was confirmed that Oye-Ekiti was already considered for the new university. He argued that Oye-Ekiti had the necessary facilities and historical significance, referencing a Federal Government teachers’ college established in the 1970s.

A subsequent inspection led to a dispute over the university's location, with tensions arising between Oye-Ekiti and Ikole-Ekiti. Ultimately, a dual-campus arrangement was established, with Ikole-Ekiti hosting the Faculty of Agriculture and Oye-Ekiti designated as the main campus.