Osun Rep Oke Sponsors Scholarships for 420 Technical Students

Busayo Oluwole Oke (BOO), a lawmaker representing the Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency and chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, has expanded his technical education scholarship program by registering 420 more students from all nine Government Technical Colleges in Osun State.

The new batch marks another phase in the growth of the scheme, which started five years ago as a pilot project at the Government Technical College, Ijebu-Jesa, before being scaled up statewide two years later.

Speaking with journalists at the weekend, Oke disclosed that the new entrants comprise mainly Year 1 students, with some Year 2 beneficiaries in eight technical colleges, while the Ijebu-Jesa centre continues to accommodate students from Years 1 to 3.

With this expansion, the total number of beneficiaries under the scheme has now reached roughly 1,500 students, a significant milestone for an initiative funded entirely from the lawmaker’s personal purse. Oke reportedly spends about ₦15 million per term, translating to nearly ₦40 million per academic session, to cover tuition, enrolment, extra lessons, and other essential costs.

The legislator pointed out that the plan aligns with the newly announced free-tuition policy for all Federal Technical Colleges, which he has continuously supported by advocating for increased funding for education that is focused on skills and practical training.

According to Oke, the scholarship is a deliberate attempt to address Nigeria’s growing skill gap, high rate of youth unemployment, and growing need for real-world, innovative expertise. Many of the program’s graduates have since used the skills they learned to start small businesses or advance to postsecondary institutions.

According to Oke, “technical and vocational education remains one of the strongest channels for empowering our youth.”

“We are reducing unemployment and developing a new cadre of resourceful, self-sustaining Nigerians by giving them practical skills and creative training.”

Osun State’s technical college administrators attest that the program has already increased enrollment and improved graduation rates, and they credit Oke’s intervention for some of this progress.

The congressman urged youth around the state to seize the chance as the recently admitted students start their studies, characterizing the investment as a dedication to creating “a more capable, productive and future-ready generation.”

Stakeholders observe that the program has become a model for community-driven technical and vocational training support, and both public and private entities are investigating ways to duplicate its achievements.