Lawmakers also called for the university’s inclusion in monthly subvention payments starting January 2026, highlighting ongoing challenges in infrastructure, staff welfare, and academic operations.  

The resolution stems from a motion sponsored by Hon. Oluwafemi Fowokanmi, representing Ibadan South West Constituency 2 and Chairman of the House Committee on Tertiary Education, and seconded by Hon. Babajide Adebayo of Ibadan North Constituency 2. 

Fowokanmi painted a picture of the university’s struggles, noting its heavy reliance on scholarships, internally generated revenue, and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) grants. 

He pointed out that the new minimum wage has exacerbated financial pressures, forcing the institution to resort to bank loans for staff salaries. 

Despite these hurdles, Fowokanmi praised Makinde for recent strides, including the inauguration of the university’s Governing Council earlier this year, which he described as a crucial step toward securing sustainable state funding.  

Established under the administration of late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi and renamed in his honor by Makinde in 2024, the university, Nigeria’s first technical institution has shown promise with recent global achievements. 

However, supporters argue that without consistent funding, it risks stalling progress in expanding facilities, retaining talent, and admitting more students. 

Hon. Sunkanmi Babalola, Chairman of the House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, commended the governor’s prior investments in physical infrastructure like road networks, perimeter fences, and street lights, which have enhanced the campus’s appeal. 

He stressed that the promised funds would enable further growth, allowing the university to compete on a national and international stage.  

Speaker of the House, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, endorsed the lawmakers’ requests and directed the House Committee on Tertiary Education to engage directly with the university’s management. 

This includes auditing accounts, reviewing internally generated revenue, and identifying operational bottlenecks to provide targeted legislative support.  

The N500 million grant was approved by the state executive council in August 2024 as a capital injection for the newly renamed university, following Makinde’s assent to the renaming bill and additional pledges like N1.4 billion for infrastructure upgrades.  

Despite these commitments, the funds’ non-disbursement over a year later has sparked concerns about delays in fulfilling educational promises. 

Makinde’s administration has otherwise demonstrated strong support for higher education, including inaugurating governing councils for Ajimobi Technical University and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in April 2025, and vowing continued subventions and campus health centers.