Makinde commissions GCIOBA projects at Government College Ibadan

•Babalakin re-elected national president

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, commissioned new facilities at Government College Ibadan (GCI), praising the Old Boys Association (GCIOBA), for investing in the school’s infrastructure, digital learning and sporting facilities.

The commissioning formed part of GCIOBA’s 2026 reunion and Annual General Meeting (AGM), which began last Wednesday with a public lecture, at Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Olawale Babalakin was re-elected as the association’s national president, alongside other executives at the AGM.

The projects commissioned included the Jude Bademosi Cricket Oval, Imoyosi House, a hockey pitch and pavilion, donated by the Babalakin family, and a tennis and practice court, provided by the 1986 set.

Other facilities included a refurbished National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) lodge, a campus-wide Wi-Fi network, a command and control centre, a 270-capacity computer-based test (CBT) centre for technical education, refurbished chemistry and physics laboratories, and a five-a-side football pitch.

While commissioning the projects, Makinde commended GCIOBA for its investment in the school, noting that the facilities would support academic development, digital learning, technical education and sporting activities.

“The quality and standard of these facilities reflect the commitment of the old boys to improving their alma mater. These are not merely infrastructure projects; they are investments in the education and future of the students,” the governor said.

In his address, Babalakin expressed gratitude to the Oyo State government, for granting the association the opportunity to develop, manage and operate the school.

“We must continue to reiterate our gratitude to the Government of Oyo State, led by His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, for giving us the opportunity given to us,” Babalakin said.

He explained that the arrangement began with a two-year assessment period during which the association was expected to demonstrate its capacity to deliver on its commitments.

Babalakin said the association had adopted a structured approach to improving the school’s academic standards, combining infrastructure development with quality teaching, effective administration and high academic standards.

On his part, the president of the 1986 set, Ohimai Aikhije, highlighted the importance of the CBT centre for technical education, saying it would help students develop digital skills and prepare for further education and the workplace.

The reunion’s opening event was the public lecture delivered by playwright and Professor of Theatre Arts, Femi Osofisan, an old boy from the 1959 set.

Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, of the 1946 set, attended as guest of honour, while Ajibola Ogunshola, chairman emeritus of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, chaired the occasion.

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The lecture, titled ‘From the Nobel to the Thalia Prize: GCI and the Making of Modern African Theatre’, was held under the theme ‘GCI, the Arts and National Development’.

During the lecture, Osofisan challenged Nigerians to look beyond political systems and examine the character of those entrusted with power.

He called for collective action to address injustice, arguing that change should be pursued with affected communities rather than imposed on them.

The reunion brought together old boys from different generations to celebrate the school’s legacy and discuss its development.