The Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan, Oyo State, has taken delivery of a new staff office building constructed through a N1.3 billion Tertiary Education Trust Fund intervention.

The building, which provides additional office space for the academic staff, was formally handed over to the institution at a ceremony attended on Saturday by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adesola Ajayi; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Caleb Aborisade; Registrar, Mrs Omolola Olanrewaju; among others.

The new facility comprises three categories of offices, including 10 professorial offices with research assistants’ spaces, 10 ensuite single professorial offices, and 14 offices designated for other senior lecturers.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the VC described the completion of the project as a significant milestone for the university, noting that the institution had faced challenges arising from inadequate office accommodation for staff since its inception.

He explained that the project was particularly significant because TETFund had initially directed universities that had benefited from its interventions for more than five years to utilise subsequent allocations for the maintenance of existing facilities rather than new construction.

“Tech-U was able to secure the approval of a N1.3 billion Tertiary Education Trust Fund intervention to deploy its intervention for the construction of the staff office building, making it one of the few institutions in that category to receive such approval.

“The university has identified staff office accommodation as one of its most pressing needs. Several spaces previously being used as offices were not originally designed for that purpose,” the VC revealed.

While expressing optimism about the institution’s future, Ajayi said, “The university would seek to secure further TETFund interventions to address additional infrastructure needs.”

He, therefore, appealed to the contractor to consider supporting the university through Corporate Social Responsibility by assisting with connecting the new facility to power.

Ajayi commended the consultant, APD Associates; the contractor, Kadex Express Limited; the university’s maintenance team, among others, for their contributions to the project’s completion.

In his remarks, the consultant, Abdulateef Majolagbe of APD Associates, commended the university management for its cooperation and proactive approach throughout the construction process.

Also, the contractor, Kayode Durojaiye of Kadex Express Limited, similarly appreciated the university’s supervision team and management for their support.