The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has made a strong appeal to the Ogun State Government to upgrade the Gateway Industrial and Petro-Gas Institute (GIPI) from its current status as a monotechnic to a full-fledged polytechnic. This request comes amid growing concerns regarding the institution's ongoing neglect, inadequate funding, and poor staff welfare.

Oladimeji Uthman, the Secretary-General of NANS, articulated these concerns in a statement released on Sunday. He emphasized that converting GIPI into a polytechnic would not only broaden its academic scope but also enable the accreditation of additional courses, thus enhancing its capacity to produce skilled professionals for Ogun State and Nigeria's burgeoning oil, gas, and industrial sectors.

Established in 2008 by an Act of the Ogun State House of Assembly during the tenure of former Governor Gbenga Daniel, GIPI has been facing significant challenges that hinder its potential. Uthman highlighted that the institution has struggled with limited funding and poor staff welfare, which he described as unacceptable for an establishment designed to cultivate human capacity in critical sectors.

Uthman stated, "It is unacceptable that an institution established to develop human capacity in the industrial and petro-gas sector is being allowed to struggle with basic challenges that should have been addressed by successive administrations." He urged the Ogun State Government to initiate the process of converting GIPI to a polytechnic, stressing that this change should not be merely nominal. He called for comprehensive reforms that include adequate funding, improved infrastructure, staff recruitment, and welfare enhancements, alongside the accreditation of relevant courses.

While acknowledging Governor Dapo Abiodun's recent efforts to secure accreditation for two courses at GIPI, Uthman urged the government to extend its support to other programs within the institution. He warned that sustaining the accreditation of additional courses would be challenging without significant institutional reforms and proper funding.

The NANS Secretary-General also raised concerns about the disparity in salaries among GIPI staff, noting that many have remained on an outdated minimum wage while other government employees have benefited from wage reviews. He appealed to Governor Abiodun to review the salary structure for GIPI workers and align it with the state’s wage regime, asserting that the welfare of workers is intrinsically linked to the quality of education provided.

Uthman proposed the establishment of a committee comprising relevant government agencies, GIPI management, staff representatives, and student stakeholders to create a comprehensive roadmap for the conversion of GIPI to a polytechnic. This roadmap should address critical areas such as accreditation, infrastructure, funding, staffing, and worker welfare.

With the recent developments in Ogun State's industrial and maritime sectors, particularly around the Ogun Waterside area, Uthman pointed out that GIPI is strategically positioned to become a significant center for technical and technological education. He concluded by appealing to Governor Abiodun to take decisive action to prevent the institution from further decline, stating that upgrading GIPI to a polytechnic and addressing its funding and staff welfare would be pivotal in unlocking its potential.