MAPOLY Alumni Advise Students To Embrace Skills Over Certificates, Urge Ogun Govt To Increase Funding

ABEOKUTA – The National President, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Alumni Association (MAPALUM), Alhaji Ayinde Soaga, has admonished newly admitted students of the institution to prioritize practical skills alongside academic qualifications and make good use of practical skills included in their respective curriculum to create jobs for themselves and be self-reliant.

The National President of the association, Ayinde Soaga, made this appeal during a press conference held on Tuesday at the MAPOLY campus in Abeokuta.

The briefing was organized ahead of the institution’s 2025/2026 matriculation ceremony and maiden lecture themed “Building a Solid Foundation: The Synergy of Character and Competence,” scheduled to take place at the OGD Main Auditorium.

Soaga emphasized that in Nigeria’s current economic climate, academic certificates alone are no longer sufficient to guarantee employment or financial stability.

He encouraged new students to take full advantage of the entrepreneurial and practical components of their education to become self-reliant and job creators rather than job seekers.

He further urged the students to uphold the institution’s values and serve as worthy ambassadors of MAPOLY through excellence in both academic and extracurricular pursuits.

Addressing funding concerns, the alumni association appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to review and increase the institution’s monthly allocation.

According to Soaga, polytechnic education requires substantial investment due to its strong emphasis on hands-on training and technical competencies.

The association also pledged to complement government efforts by mobilizing support from alumni, stakeholders, and partners within Nigeria and the diaspora.

These efforts, he noted, would focus on infrastructure development, scholarships, and other strategic initiatives aimed at sustaining the institution’s legacy of excellence.

As part of its commitments, the alumni body announced plans to raise funds for the rehabilitation of major roads within the campus, thereby improving the learning environment and supporting institutional development.

Soaga also called on the media to help amplify MAPOLY’s achievements in order to attract increased corporate and individual support.

He highlighted several distinguished alumni who have made notable contributions across various sectors, including governance, public service, corporate enterprise, and the creative industry.

The association expressed confidence that MAPOLY would continue to produce graduates equipped with the skills, character, and competence required to drive national development and compete globally.

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to Governor Dapo Abiodun to please increase the government’s monthly subvention to MAPOLY, Polytechnic education is about hands-on skills which require adequate funding of various accredited academic programmes being offered.

“We call on all alumni, stakeholders and partners both within Nigeria and abroad to rise in support of MAPOLY through mentorship, infrastructure development, scholarships and strategic initiatives that will sustain and enhance the institution’s legacy of excellence.”

He noted that the institution is known for producing quality graduates in the likes of the immediate former governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun whose administration transformed Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital into one of the notable cities in the country, first female Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein who recently retired from the service, the Rector of DS Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, Ewekoro, Prof. Goke Rauf, the incumbent Rector, Dr. (Arc.) Adekoyejo Joloaoso, the Director of School of Communication and General Studies, Dr. Shina Aina, the Olota of Ota, Oba (Prof.) Abdul Kabir Adeyemi Obalanlegbe amongst others.

“In the corporate and enterprise space, Venerable Samson Kunle Popoola, a distinguished architect behind landmark projects including the State Stadium in Sagamu and Segun Ogunleye, Head of Marketing at Diageo Guinness, a leader shaping major consumer brands across Nigeria and Africa.

“In the professional and regulatory space, Dr. Samuel Ayetutu and Mrs Seun Idowu Boye who are currently Chairmen for Lagos and Ogun State chapters of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), are shaping communication standards and professional ethics.

“In the creative industry, the institution has nurtured talents such as Doyin Kukoyi, a notable presenter on Yoruba Africa Magic Channel on DSTV, and Funke Akindele, popularly known as Jenifer, whose remarkable achievements in filmmaking have earned recognition both in Nigeria and globally.”

MAPALUM National President also cited Otunba Laide Fowosere, who, according to him, has made remarkable contributions to enterprise, community development and social initiatives.

The alumni association expressed confidence that the institution would continue to mould leaders, innovators and change-makers who will drive development in Nigeria and beyond.