Student leaders across Oyo State have expressed support for Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Stanley Olajide, popularly known as Odidiomo, citing his reported interventions in digital education and youth development.
The position was taken on Sunday, September 28, 2026, during a strategic engagement with the lawmaker in Ibadan.
The delegation was led by the National Financial Secretary of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), John Alao, and included other student leaders from across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Alao said interventions facilitated by Olajide had addressed some students’ needs, particularly the establishment of Digital Learning Centres in four public secondary schools: African Church Grammar School, Apata; Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Odo-Ona, Apata; Army Barracks Grammar School, Eleyele; and Ibadan Boys High School.
Reports had earlier confirmed the establishment of the centers as part of efforts to expand access to technology-driven education and equip students with digital skills.
Alao also commended the digital literacy training and empowerment program facilitated in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), under which 210 youths reportedly received practical training and support to access digital work and entrepreneurship opportunities.
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The student leaders further cited Olajide’s support for student leadership development through the Odidiomo Students’ Legislative Summit. They said his N50 million commitment to the summit provided a platform for students to gain exposure to legislative processes, civic education, and democratic participation. Olajide’s N50 million pledge for the summit was reported in July, while his sponsorship of the summit was subsequently reported in September.
Alao said initiatives combining education with practical skills were important in helping young people transition from academic learning to participation in the economy.
“The significance of these interventions extends beyond immediate beneficiaries because they create opportunities for young people to acquire knowledge and become active participants in the emerging digital and knowledge economy,” he said.
The delegation said sustained interaction between public representatives and organized student structures was important to ensure that students’ concerns contributed to policy discussions on education and youth development in Oyo State and Nigeria.
The student leaders also expressed support for Olajide’s continued public service and political aspirations, pledging to mobilize and work collectively towards his mandate through lawful and peaceful engagement.
They commended the Director-General, Youth Mobilization and Strategy, Odidiomo Campaign Organization, Seun Fakorede, and the Special Adviser to the Governor of Oyo State on Students’ Affairs, Victor Olojede, for their engagement with the student constituency.
The student leaders thanked Olajide for the engagement and reaffirmed their commitment to constructive collaboration with government institutions and development partners on education, digital inclusion, and youth empowerment.
Responding, Olajide pledged to pursue more projects aimed at promoting education, youth capacity development, healthcare, and infrastructure.
He said, “I promise to do more than I have done in giving support to the education of students, take up more projects that will enhance youths’ capacity, and support health care and other infrastructural projects.”
Other student leaders at the meeting included the General Secretary, NANS Southwest Zone D, Comrade Ojetola Babatunde Yussuf; Chairman, NANS Joint Campus Council (JCC), Oyo State, Comrade Uthman Olawale Abdul-Azeez; Chairman, National Association of University Students (NAUS), Oyo State Chapter, Comrade Ezekiel Oluwaseyi Agboola; National President, Federation of Oyo State Students’ Union (FOSSU), Muftau Ahmed; National President, Federation of Ibadan Students’ Union (FIBSU), Comrade Giwa Olawale; and Coordinator, Omi Tuntun 3.0 Students Army, Oyo State Chapter, Oniosun Moses, among others.