In a heartfelt pledge that has sparked renewed hope among staff, students, and local residents, Senator Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel, the former Governor of Ogun State and current representative of Ogun East Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate, has committed to breathing new life into the Gateway Industrial Petro-Gas Institute (GIPI). Located in the remote community of Oni within Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, the institute—once a beacon of vocational training in the oil and gas sector—has languished in neglect for years. Daniel's promise includes lobbying for its elevation to a full-fledged polytechnic, a move that could transform it into a broader hub for technical education and industrial skills development.
The senator's declaration came during an official visit to the institute, where he was accorded a warm and enthusiastic reception by the management team, led by Rector Lamidi Alebiosun, along with eager staff members and students. The atmosphere was charged with optimism as attendees shared stories of the institute's glorious past and their desperate pleas for revival. For many, Daniel's presence symbolized a long-overdue intervention from a leader who originally conceived the project during his governorship from 2003 to 2011.
Established in 2007 under Daniel's administration, GIPI was strategically positioned to prepare Ogun State's youth for lucrative opportunities in the burgeoning oil and gas industry. The vision was ambitious: to train skilled technicians, engineers, and operators who could support major industrial projects, particularly the proposed multi-billion-dollar refinery by Africa's richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. At the time, negotiations were underway to site the refinery in Ogun State, which would have positioned the region as a key player in Nigeria's energy sector. The institute was equipped with modern facilities, including workshops, laboratories, and training modules tailored to international standards in petro-gas operations, safety protocols, and maintenance techniques.
However, the dream began to unravel soon after Daniel left office. Successive administrations in Ogun State failed to maintain momentum in discussions with Dangote, resulting in the refinery's relocation to Lekki in Lagos State. This shift dealt a devastating blow to GIPI's relevance and funding. Without the anticipated industrial anchor, the institute slipped into obscurity. Government support dwindled, leading to chronic underfunding, infrastructural decay, and a sharp decline in student enrollment. What was once a vibrant center teeming with aspiring professionals now resembles a shadow of its former self, with cracked buildings, outdated equipment, and overgrown premises telling a tale of abandonment.
During the visit, Rector Alebiosun painted a vivid picture of the institute's plight. In an emotional address, he described GIPI as "a baby still crawling after many years," underscoring how it has failed to mature despite its potential. He presented Senator Daniel with a comprehensive dossier outlining the institution's myriad challenges: inadequate budgetary allocations, lack of modern training tools, staff shortages, low morale among employees, and the inability to attract partnerships with oil companies or international certification bodies. Alebiosun appealed passionately for immediate governmental intervention, warning that without urgent action, the institute risked total collapse, erasing the foundational efforts of its creators and depriving future generations of essential skills training.
Senator Daniel, visibly moved by the rector's account and the warm welcome, responded with gratitude and admiration for the management's tenacity. He praised the team for safeguarding the institute's original vision amid overwhelming odds, noting that GIPI's alumni have made significant strides in their careers. Many graduates, he highlighted, are now employed in top positions within Nigeria's oil and gas firms, multinational corporations abroad, and even entrepreneurial ventures back home. These success stories, Daniel emphasized, serve as proof of the institute's enduring value and the quality of its foundational programs.
Transitioning from appreciation to action, the senator outlined his strategic roadmap for revival. Although no longer in the executive branch of government, Daniel assured everyone that his position in the Senate equips him with powerful legislative tools and political networks. "I may no longer be in the executive arm, but as a senator, I will use every legislative and political influence available to ensure that this institute receives the attention it deserves," he declared firmly. This includes advocating for increased federal and state funding, facilitating collaborations with industry giants like Dangote Group or international oil firms, and pushing for infrastructural upgrades to restore the facilities to world-class standards.
Going beyond mere restoration, Daniel revealed an even more transformative ambition: upgrading GIPI to a full-fledged polytechnic. This elevation would broaden its mandate far beyond the narrow focus on oil and gas. The proposed polytechnic would incorporate diverse technical and industrial programs, such as renewable energy, manufacturing engineering, information technology, agriculture mechanization, and entrepreneurship training. Such expansion, Daniel argued, would empower a wider demographic of Ogun State's youth, particularly those in rural areas like Ogun Waterside, by providing accessible, practical education that aligns with Nigeria's evolving economic needs. In a country grappling with youth unemployment and skills gaps, this upgrade could position the institution as a model for vocational excellence, attracting students from across the Southwest region and beyond.
The announcement elicited cheers and applause from the gathered crowd, who see Daniel's involvement as a pivotal moment. Local residents in Ogun Waterside, many of whom rely on the institute for community development and employment opportunities, expressed profound optimism. Stakeholders at GIPI, including faculty members and student leaders, believe this marks a turning point after nearly two decades of waiting. "We've held on to hope for so long," one staff member shared anonymously. "Senator Daniel started this; now he's coming back to finish it."
Daniel's pledge aligns with broader national priorities, including the federal government's emphasis on technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to drive industrialization and reduce reliance on oil exports. By lobbying for polytechnic status, he aims to secure accreditation from bodies like the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), enabling the institution to award Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and foster research collaborations.
As the visit concluded, Senator Daniel interacted with students, inspecting dilapidated classrooms and promising swift follow-up actions through Senate committees on education and petroleum resources. His commitment has reignited discussions about GIPI's role in Ogun State's development agenda. For a institution that has waited almost 18 years for redemption, this intervention could finally propel it toward fulfilling its founding purpose: empowering youths to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria's industrial and energy landscape.
In the coming months, all eyes will be on Senator Daniel's legislative maneuvers. If successful, the revival and upgrade of GIPI could serve as a testament to the power of political will in resurrecting forgotten public assets, offering a blueprint for similar institutions nationwide. The people of Ogun Waterside and the GIPI community remain hopeful that this is not just another promise, but the dawn of a prosperous new era.
