By Olumide Olugosi
As Ondo State marks fifty years of purposeful existence, the Golden Jubilee offers more than celebration. It provides a moment for reflection on leadership, institutions, and the enduring choices that have shaped the state’s development journey.
At the centre of this reflection is education, long acknowledged as Ondo State’s most reliable pathway to social mobility, economic resilience, and sustainable growth.
Among the institutions that have consistently embodied this vision stands Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), the oldest tertiary institution in the state and one of its most enduring educational legacies.
Owned and nurtured by the Ondo State Government, the Polytechnic was conceived with a clear mandate: the production of middle-level technical and technological manpower in science- and technology-related fields, in support of industrial, economic, and human capital development. Five decades into Ondo State’s journey, that founding vision remains both relevant and compelling.
The progress of public institutions is rarely accidental. It is often the outcome of deliberate leadership choices, sustained policy support, and a clear understanding of education as a long-term investment.
Under the administration of His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Ondo State has continued to demonstrate this understanding through policy consistency and sustained government backing for Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo. This support has enabled the institution to pursue stability, renewal, and a renewed focus on its academic and developmental mandate.
For RUGIPO, this supportive environment has translated into improved institutional calm, renewed confidence among staff and students, strengthened academic delivery, and a clearer focus on its core mandate. At a time when many public institutions nationwide grapple with uncertainty, such stability stands as a quiet but significant gain.
The Idea of establishing a state-owned polytechnic in Owo was first conceived in 1977, barely three years after Ondo State’s creation, during the military administration of Group Captain David Ita Ikpeme. That vision became reality in 1979 under the civilian administration of Chief (Dr.) Michael Adekunle Ajasin, when the Ondo State House of Assembly passed the bill establishing The Polytechnic, Owo.
With the promulgation of the Ondo State Edict of December 1979, academic activities commenced on 7 January 1980. The institution’s evolution has since mirrored the political and developmental phases of the state itself. In 1985, it was renamed Ondo State Polytechnic, Owo, and in 2003 assumed its present name, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, in honour of the late Chief Rufus Folusho Giwa.
From its modest beginnings at a temporary site within the Technical College, Owo, the Polytechnic later relocated to its expansive permanent campus along the Akure–Benin Expressway, steadily expanding its academic scope, infrastructure, and institutional relevance.
For over four decades, RUGIPO has remained faithful to a philosophy anchored on academic excellence, integrity, innovation, and service. Its academic programmes which include engineering, applied sciences, environmental studies, business and management, and agricultural technology, are deliberately practical, industry-oriented, and responsive to societal needs.
Through hands-on training, entrepreneurship education, and strategic industry collaboration, graduates are equipped not only for employment but also for enterprise and job creation, aligning closely with Ondo State’s broader development aspirations.
The Polytechnic’s impact is reflected in key milestones: recognition as Nigeria’s best state polytechnic in 2014; commendation by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (Ondo State) in 2025 as a leading engineering-focused institution; accreditation of 90 academic programmes by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE); the establishment of an Artisan Centre and a growing entrepreneurship ecosystem; productive partnerships with government agencies and industries; and the hosting of a TETFund Career Centre widely regarded as one of the best nationwide.
Together, these milestones tell a story of resilience, relevance, and steady institutional growth.
Across Nigeria and beyond, alumni of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic continue to distinguish themselves in public service, engineering, technology, entrepreneurship, education, media, and the creative industries. Their achievements underscore the institution’s role as a catalyst for individual advancement and state development.
Beyond academics, the Polytechnic maintains active engagement with its host community and the wider state through applied research, capacity-building initiatives, and community-focused programmes, reinforcing education as a practical tool for social and economic transformation.
As Ondo State celebrates its Golden Jubilee, the story of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic affirms a simple truth: sustainable development is built on knowledge, skills, and opportunity. Institutions thrive when leadership recognises their value and provides the policy support required for stability and growth.
Looking ahead, continued investments in infrastructure, curriculum renewal, digital learning, and strategic partnerships will further position RUGIPO to serve the state and nation in a rapidly changing world.
At fifty, Ondo State looks forward with confidence. Standing firmly within that vision is Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo—ready to inspire new generations, deepen innovation, and reinforce Ondo State’s reputation as a centre of educational excellence.
Olumide Olugosi is the spokesman of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, RUGIPO.
