The widow of former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, says a proposed technical university named in his honour is being designed as a powerhouse for innovation, research and industrial growth in Nigeria.

Executive Director of the Oye Ibidapo-Obe Foundation for Educational Transformation, Mrs Olushola Ibidapo-Obe, explained that the Oye Ibidapo-Obe Technical University, to be sited on 150 acres in Ilesa, Osun State, will translate her late husband’s lifelong passion for science and technology into a concrete national asset.

According to her, the institution will concentrate on cutting-edge disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Renewable Energy, Data Science, Information Systems and Industrial Innovation, with curricula tailored to solve real-world problems and support Nigeria’s digital transformation.

She noted that the university is undergoing the National Universities Commission’s approval process, adding that the foundation is insisting on strong infrastructure, high-calibre staffing and rigorous academic standards before opening its doors to students.

Support for the project has begun to crystallise, with friends, professional associates and development partners of the late scholar pledging resources. One benefactor has committed to building the administrative block, while a financial institution has indicated interest in providing technological support. Priority projects include perimeter fencing, a main gate, academic buildings and administrative structures.

Mrs Ibidapo-Obe said a pool of distinguished professors and researchers within and outside Nigeria has already signalled readiness to join the new university, positioning it as a future hub for advanced research and industry-focused training.

Beyond academics, she stressed that the institution is expected to stimulate economic activity in Osun State and across the South-West by creating jobs, boosting housing, hospitality, transport and commerce, and attracting industries seeking a skilled workforce and research partnerships.

She described the choice of Ilesa as a deliberate effort to honour her husband’s roots and channel development to his hometown, where the university is expected to open new opportunities for young people.

The foundation’s biennial symposium will continue to serve as an intellectual engine for the project, drawing leading scholars, researchers and technology experts to discuss themes such as big data and digital innovation, and to shape the university’s research agenda.

For Mrs Ibidapo-Obe, the institution is both a memorial and a mission: a vehicle to preserve her husband’s vision and help position Nigeria for technological advancement and industrial competitiveness.