Senator Gbenga Daniel Proposes Four TASUED Satellite Campuses

Ijebu North East, Ogun State – Senator Gbenga Daniel, former Ogun State Governor and lawmaker representing Ogun East, has formally submitted a proposal to the Federal Government for the creation of four new satellite campuses for the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) following its takeover by the Federal Government.

As previously reported by NaijaChoice News, the Federal Government officially took over the institution in March 2025, with the MoU formalised in January 2026 during its 17th convocation. The move, which transformed TASUED into a federal university, aims to strengthen teacher education nationwide. Daniel, who established the university in 2005 during his governorship, said the main campus in Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, sits on only 151 hectares – far below the 10,000 hectares typically required for federal institutions.

Speaking on Saturday during his midterm assessment and constituency tour of Ijebu North East Local Government at Equity Resort in Erunwon, the senator explained that the limited land would hinder long-term growth. He proposed satellite campuses within a 30-kilometre radius of the main campus to expand infrastructure and academic programmes.

The proposed campuses are:

• A Skill Acquisition Mini-Campus in Okelugbogun, Ijebu North East Local Government
• Conversion of the Gateway Petroleum Institute in Oni, Ogun Waterside Local Government, into a satellite campus
• An Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Mini-Campus in the Illishan/Odogbolu area
• A Health Sciences Mini-Campus in Ijebu-Ode

Daniel stressed that the initiative would boost educational access, create jobs and drive economic development across the region. He added that the project holds special symbolic value because the ancestral roots of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, are firmly planted in Ijebu North East – specifically in Okelugbogun village.

At the same event, the senator provided free medical services to residents and distributed empowerment items, including sewing machines, motorcycles, grinding machines, deep freezers and knapsack sprayers, to support small businesses and youth self-reliance.

However, Daniel expressed concern over what he described as unnecessary hostility from the Ogun State Government toward federal projects he is facilitating in the district.

“Our role as lawmakers is to facilitate federal projects to our constituency,” he said. “But once that is done, the awarding and execution of contracts fall under federal agencies. What we need from the state government is cooperation, not unnecessary political disputes. Petty politics must never be allowed to short-change our people.”

He specifically addressed the recent stop-work order on the rehabilitation of Paddy Arikawe Road in Sagamu GRA – a road he constructed over two decades ago during his governorship. The state government had halted work over alleged lack of approvals, but Daniel insisted urgent repairs were needed.

In response, the Ogun State Government, through Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, denied any hostility. Akinmade explained that the state only demanded proper documentation before projects proceed and confirmed the contractor has since complied and returned to site.

Daniel urged the state government to prioritise road infrastructure across Ijebu North East Local Government to stimulate economic growth. He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership and reiterated full support for the administration’s policies, saying the President deserves re-election in 2027.

The senator also called on residents of the Remo and Ijebu areas to remain united in the push to create a new Ijebu-Remo State out of the present Ogun State, describing it as a critical step toward accelerated development.