Towards enhancing its technical education sector, the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), a World Bank-supported initiative, has made significant strides in rehabilitating eight technical colleges to meet international standards.

The Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, who also serves as the Chairman of the OGSTEP Project Steering Committee, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, disclosed this during a site visit to the Government Science and Technical College, Ijebu Ode.

He said that the initiative aims to standardise technical and vocational education and equip students with industry-relevant skills through modern machinery and tools.

Okubadejo stressed the government’s commitment to developing both the state’s physical infrastructure and human capital across various education sub-sectors by introducing modern equipment and smart classrooms. He noted that the goal is to enable students to compete globally and provide a competent workforce for the industrial needs of the state.

The Commissioner further highlighted that inspections of rehabilitation works would continue across the other seven technical colleges in the state. He noted that OGSTEP’s scope extends beyond education to include grants supporting the agricultural and business-enabling environment sectors while commending the quality and pace of the rehabilitation works.

The OGSTEP Project Coordinator, Mrs Mosun Owo Odusi, explained that the state government has invested in upskilling teachers and fostering partnerships with local industries to ensure that students and teachers gain practical knowledge and experience.

She pointed out that the upgraded facilities would not only benefit students but also serve as a platform for industries to train and upgrade their workforce.