“Administration Is Key to Academic Success,” asserts UI Retiring Senior Deputy Registrar

A retiring Senior Deputy Registrar at the University of Ibadan, Mrs Stella O. Soola, JP, FNIM has asserted that university administration at its best is often inconspicuous and does not draw undue attention to itself, yet it is the sine qua non for a successful academic environment.

She made this assertion while delivering a Valedictory Lecture to mark her retirement from the university upon attaining the retirement age and having rendered 28 years of service to the university. 

Her lecture was entitled: “Twenty-Eight (28) Years in the Nation’s Premier University’s Registry: The Travails, the Trials and – Praise God! – the Triumphs.”

Mrs Soola reaffirmed that her years in the university system provided her the opportunity to participate in the implementation of several key administrative and policy reforms which contributed to the strengthening of academic and administrative governance.

She stated that the interpretation and application of university statutes, council resolutions and senate decisions were part of her significant contributions, adding that upholding these instruments ensured consistency, fairness and institutional continuity.

She explained that operationally, administration is accomplished through the activities of administrators in the formulation of clearer guidelines, documentation requirements and committee processes to seek and promote merit, transparency and equity while at the same time, safeguarding the university against avoidable disputes and procedural irregularities.

According to her, the gradual transition from manual processes to digitised records and electronic workflow marked a critical shift towards efficiency, data integrity and institutional memory preservation.

She noted that although there are challenges, these reforms have positioned the registry to better meet the demands of a modern university.

The Valedictory Lecturer observed that outdated technology causes institutions to struggle with student information, slows down the process of producing transcripts, produces errors and causes delay in information communication.

She, therefore, suggested that technology must be embraced as an enabler, but never as a substitute for good judgement, fair and intelligent leadership.

Mrs Soola stressed the urgent need to invest more in modern tools, user-friendly interfaces, mobile registration options, and seamless integration with other University Learning Systems (LMS) and financial software to improve the experience of students, staff and the public and to streamline operations.

She advised administrators to embrace technology, but in doing so, to be guided by sound leadership, values and consideration.

She added that technology strengthens institutions, but warned that when poorly managed, it merely accelerates inefficiency.

The retiring Senior Deputy Registrar summarised her travails, trials and triumphs in life including work and academic areas, describing them as bittersweet experiences.

She recalled how she rose from being an Administrative Officer in 1997 through the ranks to become a Senior Deputy Registrar and acknowledged that the grace of God sustained her through every phase of her career.

Mrs Soola said that her delivery of the valedictory lecture called for reflection on a 28-year journey that was defined by duty, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the ideals of university administration.

The Chairman of the Lecture, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, said the presence of dignitaries, notable icons, and Principal Officers of the University at the lecture laid credence to the pedigree of Mrs Soola as an astute administrator.

He described her as an important icon of the University of Ibadan Registry who is loyal, sincere, godly and hardworking and has paid her dues adequately to contribute to the advancement of the University of Ibadan Registry.

Professor Adebowale commended the retiring administrator for endurance, having survived the travails and trials of over two decades and coming out triumphant.

The VC appreciated her contributions, faithfulness, and loyal services to the university and wished her a long, peaceful, and joyful retirement. 

The Registrar, Mr. Ganiyu O. Saliu, JP, FNIM, fspsp, FCIML, MAUA, said Mrs Soola’s journey in university administration was defined by an unwavering commitment to duty, sacrifice and loyalty to the institution.

He stated that her lecture marks a significant milestone as she transitioned from active service into well-deserved retirement, adding that throughout her career, she was a main stay of the Registry.

Mr Saliu acknowledged that Mrs Soola modelled the principles that administrators are, first and foremost, the custodians of process, policy and precedent and her contributions to administrative and policy reforms, particularly in the standardization of staff procedures and the transition toward digitized records, have left a lasting impact on her operational efficiency and institutional memory.

He added that beyond these functional achievements, Mrs. Soola has consistently championed the values of merit, transparency and justice, ensuring that administrative programs remain robust, transparent and fair. 

He expressed sincere appreciation to her on behalf of the Registry for her loyalty and her many years of unblemished services to the university.