By Elder Yinka Salaam
Lagos, Jan. 4, ’26 (TNZ) I crave to celebrate the incredible journey of Dr Oluremi Nurudeen Olaleye, whose transformative leadership has set a new precedent in Nigerian educational history.
He recently completed his tenure as the last Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic. That institution has since transitioned to become the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH)
When Olaleye assumed office as the Rector of the Polytechnic in December 2020, he inherited an institution in crisis. Industrial action, deteriorating infrastructure, and broken relationships paralysed the institution.
Five years down the line, he not only restored the polytechnic to a healthy institution but also led it through an unprecedented transformation into Lagos State University of Science and Technology.
This is not just an administrative achievement; it’s evidence of visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence. Olaleye cleared a backlog of over 400 staff promotions spanning four years, thus bringing relief and hope to hundreds of families.
Olaleye also implemented the new minimum wage and paid 14 months’ arrears, never once delaying monthly salaries despite Nigeria’s economic challenges. He restored peace where conflict reigned, transforming adversarial relationships into genuine partnerships through dialogue, transparency, and fairness.
Under his watch, the Polytechnic maintained full five-year accreditation of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for over 60 programmes. It rose to become the second-best polytechnic in Nigeria.
The Rector oversaw massive infrastructure development. These include 200 solar-powered streetlights, modern lecture halls, upgraded internet to 512 Mbps, and other projects worth millions of Naira.
He revived revenue-generating units, including LASPOTECH Water, Feedmill, and agricultural ventures, thus demonstrating that educational institutions can achieve financial sustainability.
The crowning achievement was shepherding the historic transition from Polytechnic status to a University. This is a feat unprecedented in Nigerian tertiary education.
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TheNewsZenith notes that while LASUSTECH (formerly Lagos State Polytechnic) is a significant polytechnic upgraded to a university, LASPOTECH is part of a trend as LASUSTECH’s transition highlights a state-level shift in technical education to degree-awarding status in recent times.
The transformation of LASPOTECH into LASUSTECH reflects a broader movement in Nigeria, with state governments converting polytechnics and colleges of education into universities to meet demands for higher education. Lagos State Government converted the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) to the Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED).
Dr Olaleye successfully navigated the rigorous National Universities Commission resource verification. He secured approval for over 35 degree programmes across five Colleges, and conducted the first university admission while serving as Acting Vice Chancellor.
He managed this monumental transition while ensuring existing Polytechnic students were not disadvantaged. This is even as he worked with both Polytechnic and University Councils simultaneously.
The Rector turned crisis into excellence, conflict into collaboration, decay into development, and a Polytechnic into a University. He demonstrated that transformative leadership, grounded in integrity, collaboration, and genuine concern for people’s welfare, can achieve the seemingly impossible.
As he concludes this remarkable five-year tenure, Olaleye leaves behind solid foundations for LASUSTECH to build upon. These are experienced faculty, modern infrastructure, collaborative stakeholder relationships, and renewed institutional confidence. His legacy will surely inspire generations to come.
This is what servant leadership looks like; this is what commitment to excellence produces; and this is the story of how one man’s vision, supported by dedicated teams and government commitment, transformed an institution and created hope for thousands of students, staff, and their families.
Dr Olaleye’s affable and unassuming personality sets him apart from his peers. His achievements speak volumes. Today, Lagos State University of Science and Technology wears a new look and has become a coconut plantation.
We all owe it to his visionary leadership. More success stories will be told come 2026, insha Allah. Congratulations, Dr Olaleye, on a job extraordinarily well done. (TNZ)
Salaam, a Senior Journalist, writes from Osogbo.
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