The death and burial of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona have been in the news what with the clash of traditionalists and the Ogun State government on the perfect mode of burial. Then, the rumour mills went agog with the rename of TASUED.
The Ogun State Government has dismissed reports claiming that the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, has been renamed in honour of the late Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the government clarified that no such decision had been made, stressing that the late monarch has already been honoured with a separate institution, the Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology in Omu.
The clarification follows speculations that Governor Dapo Abiodun had announced a change in TASUED’s name during the 8th-day Fidau prayer held for the revered monarch, who died on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 91 after a distinguished reign of 64 years.
Oba Adetona ascended the throne in 1960 and was the longest-serving first-class traditional ruler in Nigeria until his death.
Widely respected for his intellect, courage and progressive leadership, he played a significant role in modernising Ijebuland and preserving its cultural heritage.
He was also known for championing transparency, education and institutional development, values which the state has continued to commemorate through educational reforms and naming honours.
The government noted that TASUED, originally established in 1977 as the Ogun State College of Education, became Tai Solarin College of Education, Science and Technology in 1994, before its upgrade and renaming in 2005 to Tai Solarin University of Education.
However, the transition sparked controversy with the National Universities Commission (NUC) over the dual authority to award both NCE and degree certificates.
To address this, the previous administration relocated the College of Education component to Omu, while TASUED in Ijagun remained a degree-awarding institution.
“In 2022, under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun, the institution in Omu was officially renamed Sikiru Kayode Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology to immortalise the revered monarch,” the statement said.
The government emphasised that Governor Abiodun’s recent remarks during the late monarch’s prayer ceremony merely reflected past efforts to honour Oba Adetona and made no mention of renaming TASUED, which now falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government.