By Samuel Sunday
Ekiti State University has showcased a bold agenda aimed at elevating the institution’s global standing, introducing international collaborations, strategic fee adjustments, and significant academic expansion.
Speaking at the 30th convocation press briefing held at the University main campus, Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Vice-Chancellor Joseph Babatola Ayodele, revealed that the university is reviving partnerships with leading institutions in the United Kingdom and the United States.
A key focus is restoring a collaboration with a university in Northern Ireland, facilitated by Professor Lewis, to strengthen research and innovation within the Faculty of Science.
He emphasized that the international partnerships will enable scholar exchanges, joint academic programmes, and collaborative research initiatives, providing students and staff with opportunities to compete and thrive on a global scale.
Speaking on some of his achievements so far, the Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed the university’s unwavering commitment to staff welfare saying that salaries and pensions are being paid promptly despite the prevailing economic challenges, highlighting the institution’s financial stability under his leadership.
“This university is not owing salaries or pensions,” he said, stressing that staff welfare remains a priority regardless of global economic pressures.
The Vice-Chancellor also addressed tuition fee concerns raised by students and parents. He explained that medical education costs approximately ₦6 million per session, while law, nursing, and engineering programmes cost about ₦3 million, and education-related programmes average ₦800,000 per session. Fee adjustments, he clarified, apply only to new students, while returning students retain their existing fee structure.
He added that despite these adjustments, the university’s fees remain considerably lower than those charged by private institutions, reflecting a balance between sustainability and accessibility.
The University administrator highlighted that over 30 new programmes have been submitted to the National Universities Commission, covering emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Aerospace Engineering.
These programmes are expected to become operational in the coming academic sessions, Babatola stated.
Speaking on the security and students accommodation, the university boss assured stakeholders that security measures are robust, with enhanced surveillance and collaboration with security agencies. He also invited investors to participate in Public-Private Partnership arrangements to expand hostel facilities for the university’s over 40,000 students.
Professor Babatola further showcased the university’s initiatives to boost internally generated revenue, including agricultural ventures that earned over ₦1.5 million in the last academic session.
The Vice-Chancellor celebrated the Institution milestone, announcing that 10,959 graduates will receive diplomas, undergraduate, and postgraduate degrees.
He called on alumni, stakeholders, and partners to support the university’s ongoing reforms, reinforcing a commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and meaningful societal impact.
