Ekiti College Waxes Stronger Under Femi Thomas’ Watch
Ekiti State College of Technology, Ijero-Ekiti, has continue to wax stronger under the leadership of Dr Femi Thomas as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution which was earlier known as College of Health Science and Technology before his assumption of office.
The institution which was established in 1997 by the military government barely a month after the creation of Ekiti State as a School of Health Technology, Ijero-Ekiti was upgraded in 2011 by the government of Dr Kayode Fayemi and translated to College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ijero Ekiti.
However, on 19th February, 2025, the government of Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji converted it to a Polytechnic by Ekiti State Executive Council Order. This was done after receiving the report of the 8=member committee set up on 15 March 2024.
On Monday, the Rector of the institution, Dr Olufemi Olubamise announced that 5,742 graduands will receive National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and other certificates at its maiden combined convocation ceremony.
The Rector made this disclosure during a press conference to herald the week-long convocation activities scheduled to hold from September 21 to 27, 2026. Olubamise said that the graduands comprised students from the 2017/2018 academic session to the 2025/2026 academic session, covering 30 programmes across 19 departments.
He explained that the combined convocation was organised to celebrate graduates whose convocations had been delayed by circumstances surrounding the institution’s transition to Polytechnic status.
“This is the first convocation of EKSCOTECH as a full-fledged Polytechnic, a celebration of a new identity, a broader mandate and a bigger dream.
“It is combined, bringing together 5,742 graduands from preceding years whose convocations were delayed by circumstances, so that no graduate of this institution is left uncelebrated”, the Rector said.
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He explained that the graduands comprised 343 students who obtained distinctions, 1,951 with upper credits, 2,720 with lower credits, 661 with passes and 67 who obtained merit. He stated that the College currently runs 42 accredited programmes across five schools, including Clinical Technology, Allied Health Sciences, Engineering, Finance, Business and Management Studies, and Pure and Applied Sciences.
Olubamise further added that the institution’s evolution from a Women Development Centre to a School of Health Technology, a monotechnic and now a Polytechnic reflected its commitment to providing technical education and manpower development.
The Rector commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for approving the institution’s upgrade to Polytechnic status, as well as providing support through increased subvention, infrastructure and improved staff welfare.
Olubamise also acknowledged the contributions of Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, Dr Abiodun Arokodare, Omowumi Ogunlola and other benefactors to the development of the institution.
Olubamise disclosed that the Owa Ajero of Ijero Kingdom, Oba Joseph Adewole Adebayo, facilitated the release of 118 hectares of land for the Polytechnic’s proposed Southern Campus. He said that the land would support the institution’s future expansion, including the possibility of becoming a university.
The Rector further called on the institution’s alumni to support its development through mentorship, scholarships, infrastructure, research collaboration and industry partnerships. He said that the management was irrevocably committed to its SCALE Agenda, which focuses on digital transformation, student welfare, academic excellence, infrastructure renewal, capacity building, student welfare, financial sustainability and effective institutional governance.
