Ogun Central Students Will Get Stronger Representation, More Opportunities — Senator’s Aide

ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE — The Special Assistant to the Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District on Student Affairs, Comrade Bamgbose Tomiwa, has assured students across the senatorial district of stronger engagement, improved representation and greater access to educational, digital skills and empowerment opportunities.

Bamgbose gave the assurance while addressing distinguished student leaders, comrades and stakeholders at an engagement organised under the platform of the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS).

He said the meeting provided an important opportunity to strengthen communication between student leaders and the office of the Senator representing Ogun Central, stressing that student leadership must go beyond representation and become a platform for solving problems and advancing the interests of students.

According to him, effective representation must translate into tangible benefits, including quality education, skills acquisition, empowerment, improved infrastructure and opportunities for young people to thrive.

Education Remains Priority

Bamgbose highlighted several educational interventions associated with the Senator's office, noting that education remains a major priority.

He listed the annual distribution of educational materials to secondary school students, including school bags, textbooks, mathematical sets, exercise books and JAMB/SSCE past questions.

He also disclosed that support had been provided for JAMB registration, including the purchase of JAMB forms for more than 1,000 students.

The Senator's aide explained that while such interventions might appear modest, they could have a significant impact on students from financially challenged families.

He said assistance with examination fees and learning materials could determine whether a student progresses academically or is forced to remain at home because of financial difficulties.

Digital Skills, ICT Empowerment

Speaking on the changing demands of the modern economy, Bamgbose said young people must acquire skills beyond conventional academic qualifications.

He noted that the digital economy had created new opportunities globally, making digital literacy, ICT competence and practical skills increasingly important for students and young Nigerians.

He highlighted digital skills training programmes targeting artisans, youths, undergraduates, graduates and teachers, as well as laptop empowerment initiatives.

He also cited the commissioning of a 250-capacity ICT centre at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and the donation of laptops at an Ogun digital summit as examples of interventions aimed at preparing young people for the future.

According to him, providing digital skills to young Nigerians is not merely about teaching them how to use technology but about opening the door to participation in the global economy.

Student Welfare Beyond Academics

Bamgbose also stressed the importance of addressing issues affecting students outside the classroom.

He pointed to medical outreach programmes, empowerment initiatives, cash grants and community support programmes as interventions that indirectly contribute to student welfare.

He particularly mentioned women's empowerment initiatives, including a ₦50 million grant programme for more than 500 market women, alongside digital training, laptop distribution and cash empowerment programmes for women across Ogun Central.

He explained that students do not exist in isolation, noting that the economic wellbeing of parents, guardians and communities directly influences the ability of young people to remain in school.

“When families are empowered, when communities develop, and when economic opportunities increase, the student also benefits,” he said.

Infrastructure Critical to Learning

The Senator's aide further identified infrastructure as another critical area requiring sustained attention.

He cited the construction and equipping of community ICT centres and laboratories in institutions and schools across Ogun Central, as well as road projects, including the rehabilitation of the Camp-FUNAAB-Alabata Road and construction of the Akomoje-Mawuko-Opeji Road.

He said infrastructure should not be viewed as an abstract issue by student leaders because poor roads, inadequate electricity and limited access to ICT facilities can directly affect students' academic experience.

According to him, improved infrastructure can enhance access to education, facilitate learning and create a more conducive environment for students.

Bamgbose Calls for Constructive Engagement

While urging student leaders to continue demanding accountability from government, Bamgbose cautioned that student engagement should go beyond protests.

He challenged student leaders to identify problems, properly document them, prioritise their demands and present realistic solutions to government.

He advocated a combination of dialogue, advocacy, policy participation, accountability and partnership between student leaders and government institutions.

“My office is open to student leaders. We want to hear from you. We want to know the challenges confronting students across our institutions,” he said.

He identified areas such as infrastructure, transportation, scholarships, digital access, skills development, entrepreneurship and student welfare as issues that require continuous engagement.

Commitment to Student Constituency

Bamgbose pledged to strengthen the relationship between the student constituency and the Senator's office through institutional visits, student engagements and meaningful consultations.

He said his office would also explore programmes capable of exposing students to skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, technology, leadership and employment opportunities.

He emphasised that no student should feel forgotten and no genuine student concern should be ignored because of the absence of an effective channel for communicating such concerns.

He said: “Our objective is simple: No student should feel forgotten. No institution should feel disconnected. And no genuine student concern should be ignored simply because there is no channel through which it can be communicated.”

‘From Certificates to Competence’

The Special Assistant challenged student leaders to embrace problem-solving leadership and transform campuses into centres of ideas, innovation and development.

He urged young people to move from dependence to empowerment, unemployment to entrepreneurship, and complaints to constructive engagement.

He said the future of Ogun State and Nigeria would not happen by accident but would require deliberate preparation, particularly in equipping students with the skills needed to compete in a rapidly changing world.

He called on student leaders to ensure that the voice of Nigerian students is not only heard but translated into meaningful action.

Bamgbose expressed appreciation to the NAOSS leadership for providing the platform for the engagement and assured the student community that the Senator's office remained committed to partnering with students.

He concluded by calling for stronger collaboration towards promoting education, skills acquisition, innovation, student representation and development across Ogun Central.