The Federal Government has concluded plans to upgrade the 114-year-old Federal School of Surveying (FSS), Oyo to Federal University of Geospatial Sciences and Environmental Technology.

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, disclosed this at the inauguration of the seventh Governing Council of the School. He explained that the move will entrench the legacies of academic prowess the institution was noted for.

Represented by the Surveyor General of the Federation (SGoF), Abudulganiyu Adebomehin, the minister charged the new governing council to provide the school management a policy direction for its growth and expansion in line with the vision and mission of the school.

He said: “With the expiration of the tenure of the sixth council, the Federal Government in its wisdom nominated some Nigerians cutting across relevant authorities, professions, and the country’s geo-political zones to reflect our diversity for the reconstitution of the governing council.”

The Rector of the school, Dr. Dupe Olayinka-Dosunmu, pointed out that the immediate past council has approved the proposed upgrade, adding that with the support of the Minister of Works and Housing, necessary directives have been given for sensitisation and contacts with relevant stakeholders among other efforts to make the conversion successful

She said, the school has started a Postgraduate Diploma in Geographic Information System (GIS), which is another pioneering feat in addition to accreditation to offer Computer Science, Cartography and GIS, Photogrammetry and remote-Sensing at National Diploma level.

The President, Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria (SURCON), Clement Nwabiche, described the school as the citadel of surveying in the country, and expressed delight over the efforts being made for its transformation to a full-fledged university.

The new council members are Adebomehin, (Chairman), Semiu Akanni Ayinde (representing OSGoF), Dr. Sanjo Faniran (Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning), Mr. Adama Sabo James (Federal Ministry of Education) and Mr. Olajide Ode-Martins (Federal Ministry of Works and Housing).

Others include Major Muhammed Garba (Armed Forces of Nigeria), Abiodu Alaba (Oyo State Surveyor General), Hassan Abdullahi (representing states Surveyor Generals) and Badamosi Tahir (Nigerian Institution of Surveyors) among others.