EKSU VC Commends Oyebanji’s Relentless Commitment to Repositioning University

The Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Professor Joseph Ayodele, has commended the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for his relentless commitment to repositioning the University as a world-class institution of learning.

Professor Ayodele praised the Governor for maintaining his resolve and commitment to academic excellence, innovation and research development, noting that Oyebanji’s relationship with the University as its Visitor, alumnus and former lecturer had further strengthened his commitment to its advancement.

The Vice-Chancellor gave the commendation on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in Ado-Ekiti during the interactive S’etigbo multicast, anchored by the Bureau of Community Communications.

While applauding Governor Oyebanji’s openness and collaborative approach with well-meaning Nigerians and Ekiti indigenes who have contributed significantly to the growth of the institution, Professor Ayodele assured that the University would continue to uphold the highest standards in research, teaching and community service.

He said the Governor had made significant contributions to the University’s policy direction by appointing a robust Governing Council whose members had developed strong policies and followed up on their implementation.

Professor Ayodele also commended the Chancellor of the University, describing him as a philanthropist who had contributed significantly to the development of the institution.

According to him, the Chancellor had facilitated the procurement of excursion vehicles, fieldwork vehicles for the Department of Geology, a trading room, 241 solar-light points within and outside the campus, two transformers and N5 million in support for academic staff attending conferences abroad, among other interventions.

The Vice-Chancellor said Governor Oyebanji had also intervened in several infrastructural projects at the College of Medicine, which had helped the University secure an increase in its admission quota from 50 to 100 students.

He added that the Governor had connected the University with well-meaning citizens within and outside Ekiti State to attract additional support.

Professor Ayodele noted that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, was brought to the State through the Governor’s efforts and subsequently supported the construction of a hall at the Faculty of Law in preparation for the acquisition of the Law programme and an increase in the University’s admission quota from 60 to 250 students.

He expressed optimism that the proposed increase would be approved.

The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that Dr. Zacch Adedeji, described as one of the Governor’s associates, was supporting the University with a project worth over N1 billion at the Faculty of Management Sciences.

He further said Governor Oyebanji had worked with Senator Michael Bamidele to facilitate the provision of a medical hostel for the University.

According to Professor Ayodele, Governor Oyebanji and his wife also facilitated the visit of the wife of the President to the University, describing it as the first such visit since the institution was established over 24 years ago.

He said the visit led to the commissioning of the Renewed Hope ICT Experience Centre, donated by the wife of the President, as well as an endowment reportedly made in honour of the President.

Professor Ayodele further disclosed that Independent Power Projects (IPPs) had been extended to the University and the Government Reserved Area (GRA) where the Vice-Chancellor resides.

He also highlighted the provision of bursaries and scholarships for students as part of the Governor’s interventions in the University.

The Vice-Chancellor said Governor Oyebanji had cleared all outstanding subventions and that the University was no longer owing salary arrears.

He added that the Governor had supported the payment of the new salary structure approved by the government for academic and non-teaching staff.

Professor Ayodele said the interventions had contributed to peace on campus, noting that the University Management was working collaboratively with union members.

He also said students could now have better certainty about their graduation timelines as a result of the improved administration and stability within the institution.

“He is encouraging us and giving us emotional, financial and infrastructure support. He is doing a lot of things to ensure that he repositions the University as he promised when I took over as VC,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor further disclosed that EKSU had recorded significant improvement in its ranking among Nigerian universities.

He said the University had moved from its previous position of 33rd among state universities to the number one position, attributing the progress to improved infrastructure, effective administration, and the support of the state government and other stakeholders.

Professor Ayodele also commended the Chancellor and other members of the University’s Governing Council for their contributions to the development of EKSU.

He expressed his desire to be remembered for ensuring that the progress recorded by the University is sustained and further improved upon.