Ondo State’s core South region is preparing for a major economic and educational boost as the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) Chairman, Prince Biyi Poroye, confirmed plans to partner with the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, to establish the School of Maritime Transport and Logistics in Ugbonla, Ilaje Local Government Area.
The partnership will be formalised with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a decisive move to turn the vision into a groundbreaking reality.
The agreement aims to provide the region’s youth with valuable skills for today’s competitive maritime and logistics sector while boosting local industries, attracting investments, and driving long-term economic growth.
Speaking while hosting OAUSTECH’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, and his team in his office, Prince Poroye emphasised the strong ties between OSOPADEC and OAUSTECH, reiterating the Commission’s dedication to education, research, and capacity building.
“This is not a white elephant project. It is an investment for present and future generations. By 2026, the first batch of world-class maritime professionals will walk through our doors, as we complete every detail with precision and purpose. My team has inspected the project site, the vision is clear, and our resolve is unshakable; we mean business,” he said.
The facility, which is already 60 percent complete, is designed to train future shipping experts, port managers, nautical scientists, and logistics specialists, positioning Ondo State as a notable player on the global maritime map.
Prof. Ologunorisa, responding to the Chairman’s remarks, praised OSOPADEC’s unwavering role in regional development and disclosed that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has directed OAUSTECH to work closely with the Commission to ensure the project’s success.
“We’re here to cement this partnership and push abandoned projects over the finish line. The School of Maritime must be completed and fast,” he stated.
With the MoU in progress and 2026 set as the admission year for the first students, the Ugbonla Maritime School is projected to create jobs, expand skill development, and strengthen economic opportunities in Ondo State’s oil-producing areas, making it a key driver for growth in the maritime and logistics industry.