Ogun Student Union Follows Hard After Gbenga Daniel’s 2027 Senatorial Bid, Lauds Legacy Of Institution-Building
Hails detailed list of tertiary and specialised institutions set up by the Gbenga Daniel administration.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun State Chapter, has pledged its full support for the senatorial ambition of former Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel in the forthcoming 2027 elections. The endorsement came amidst a thunderous applause from a mammoth crowd gathered at the BATOGD Movement Mid-Term Community Assessment Review Tour on Sunday, November 10.
Addressing the vibrant assembly, Comrade Adelola Hezekiah Babatunde, the General Secretary of NANS Ogun State, delivered a stirring speech that chronicled Daniel’s unparalleled investments in education and human capital development during his tenure as governor from 2003 to 2011. He positioned the former governor as a visionary leader whose legacy is directly responsible for the academic fortunes of thousands of Ogun State indigenes.
“Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s administration was not just mindful of student welfare; it was fundamentally transformative, laying concrete foundations for the intellectual and technological advancement of our state,” declared Comrade Babatunde. “While others made promises, he built institutions. He understood that the greatest empowerment you can give to the youth is not temporary relief, but permanent structures of learning and skill acquisition. For this, the entire student community in Ogun State, both present and future generations, owes him a debt of gratitude, and we are ready to translate that gratitude into massive electoral support in 2027.”
The student leader proceeded to recount a detailed list of tertiary and specialised institutions birthed by the Daniel administration, framing them as personal beneficiaries for many in the crowd.
“Let us not forget the bricks and mortar of his legacy,” Babatunde stated, ticking off the achievements. “He gave us the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, upgrading it to Nigeria’s first specialised University of Education. He established the Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic (AAP) in Ijebu-Igbo to boost technical education. He founded the Ogun State Institute of Technology (OGITECH) with campuses in Igbesa and Saapade, focusing on crucial ICT training for the digital age. And though Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) existed before him, his administration injected life into it with massive infrastructural development.”
Babatunde further highlighted the foresight in Daniel’s policy of creating specialised vocational institutes designed to align Ogun’s workforce with emerging economic opportunities. “He envisioned an industrial Ogun State. That’s why he conceived the Petro-gas Institute in Oni, Ogun Waterside, to position our youth at the forefront of the oil and gas sector. His commitment was to creating job creators and skilled professionals, not just certificate holders.”
Looking ahead, the NANS Secretary also referenced Daniel’s ongoing legislative impact as the current Senator representing Ogun East. “His commitment hasn’t waned. Even now, in the Senate, he is championing a cause vital to our future: the bill to establish the Federal College of Aviation and Aeronautical Technology in Remo, Ogun State. This is a testament to his consistent vision, creating centres of excellence that place Ogun State at the pinnacle of specialised education in Nigeria.”
The declaration by the influential student body is seen as a significant boost for Daniel’s 2027 political machinery. Student unions remain a potent grassroots force in Nigerian politics, capable of mobilising the youth vote and shaping public narrative. This early endorsement suggests a campaign that will heavily leverage Daniel’s documented achievements in education, aiming to resonate with a demographic where unemployment and educational infrastructure are primary concerns.
The BATOGD Movement tour continues across the Ogun East senatorial district, with this ringing endorsement from the student community setting a resonant tone for the former governor’s return to the political arena.
