The Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU) Ado Ekiti, Prof. Joseph Babatola Ayodele, has attributed the institution’s remarkable rise from 33rd to number one position among Nigerian state universities to the improved infrastructure, effective administration and the sustained support of the Ekiti State Government under Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
Prof. Ayodele disclosed this on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti during the interactive S’etigbo Multicast, anchored by the Bureau of Community Communications at the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State ( BSES).
He commended Governor Oyebanji for his relentless commitment to repositioning EKSU as a world-class institution, noting that the governor’s relationship with the university as its Visitor, alumnus and former lecturer had translated into significant interventions in academic development, infrastructure, research and staff welfare.
The Vice Chancellor said the university’s improved ranking was a reflection of the collective efforts of the Governing Council, management staff and students as well as other stakeholders, particularly the state government.
He listed some of the governor’s interventions which include but not limited to the provision 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 an annual N5 million support for any deserving academic staff attending conferences abroad.
According to him, the governor has also intervened in the infrastructural development of the College of Medicine, with a view to increasing the institution’s medical admission quota from 50 to 100.
“On policy issues, he took a bold step by constituting a very well experienced solid Governing Council under the Chairmanship of a former vice chancellor and professor of international Law and Jurisprudence.
He further disclosed that Governor Oyebanji had leveraged his relationships with prominent Nigerians to attract additional support and developmental projects to the university.
He cited the visit of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to Ekiti State University, and his decision to donate the 400 hundred capacity lecture theatre for the Faculty of Law, as part of efforts to strengthen the university’s Law programme and increase its admission quota from sixty (60) to two fifty (250).
The Vice Chancellor also went further to inform the public that Dr Zacch Adedeji was supporting a project valued at over N1 billion at the Faculty of Management Sciences, while Senator Michael Bamidele had supported the provision of a medical hostel.
Prof. Ayodele commended Governor Oyebanji and his wife for facilitating the visit of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to the university, describing it as the first of its kind since the establishment of EKSU.
The robust relationship of governor Oyebanji with people in power within and outside the state led to the construction and the eventual commissioning of the Renewed Hope ICT Experience Centre donated by the First Lady of the federal republic of Nigeria, with additional interventions, announced and provided to the university, on the day of that commissioning
The Vice Chancellor noted that the governor’s interventions which are steady have transcended infrastructure to students’ welfare, staff development and institutional funding.
He said further that governor Oyebanji had supported students through bursaries and scholarships, outstanding subventions and salaries arrears are defrayed and his current and immediate decision to ensure that the new salary structure approved for the academic and non-teaching staff of Nigerian Universities, were implemented to letter, making EKSU staff the first beneficiaries in Nigeria, .
Under his watch the independent power plant station (“IPPs) is being extended to the university campus and its staff quarters in the GRA area of Ado Ekiti.
Prof. Ayodele attributed the peace and industrial harmony being enjoyed in the university as the result of governor Oyebanji’s open door policy, and his benevolence towards Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.
The Vice Chancellor expressed optimism that the various interventions in the university would further strengthen EKSU’s position as a leading centre for teaching, research and community service.
He commended the Chancellor and members of the university’s Governing Council for their contributions to the institution’s development.
Prof. Ayodele said his administration would continue to consolidate the gains already recorded, expressing the desire to be remembered for sustaining and improving the progress achieved by the university.
He stressed that the ultimate goal was to reposition EKSU as a globally competitive institution capable of producing graduates and research that would contribute meaningfully to national and international development.
