Former Ogun State Governor and current Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel, has pledged to revive the Gateway Industrial Petro-Gas Institute (GIPI), a training centre he established in 2007 that has suffered years of neglect.
Daniel made this commitment during a visit to Oni in the Ogun Waterside area of his senatorial district, where he was warmly received by the institute’s Rector, Lamidi Alebiosun, and other members of the leadership team.
The Gateway Industrial Petro-Gas Institute was conceived during Daniel’s tenure as governor to equip young people in Ogun State with vital skills in oil and gas, preparing them for employment opportunities that were expected to arise from industrialist Aliko Dangote’s proposed refinery project in the state. At the time, Daniel’s administration had been engaged in advanced discussions with Dangote to situate the multi-billion-dollar refinery in Ogun State. The establishment of GIPI was intended to ensure that the local workforce would be adequately trained to take advantage of the anticipated industrial boom.
However, following Daniel’s exit from office, negotiations with Dangote reportedly broke down under subsequent administrations, leading to the refinery project being relocated to neighbouring Lagos State. As a result, the institute lost its strategic relevance and was eventually abandoned by the state government, falling into disrepair and struggling to stay operational.
During his visit, Rector Alebiosun provided a bleak assessment of the institution’s current state, lamenting that “his baby was still crawling after many years.” He presented a detailed list of the institute’s pressing needs and challenges to the senator.
Daniel expressed gratitude to the management and staff for their perseverance in sustaining the institute’s vision despite limited support. He noted with satisfaction that several of its graduates have gone on to build successful careers, including some working internationally. While acknowledging that he no longer wields executive authority, the senator pledged to leverage his influence at the national level to secure renewed investment and recognition for the institute.
His goal, he explained, is to have GIPI upgraded into a full-fledged polytechnic rather than remaining a single-discipline centre for oil and gas training. This transformation, he said, would allow the institution to diversify its academic offerings and expand opportunities for young people across Ogun State.
If realised, Daniel’s proposal would restore vitality to the institute and fulfil the original vision of creating a hub for technical education and youth empowerment in the region. For now, both the local community and the institute’s leadership remain hopeful that his renewed commitment will lead to tangible progress and long-overdue revitalisation of an institution that once symbolised Ogun State’s industrial aspirations.
