By Samuel Sunday
The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI), Professor Babatunde Andrew Omoijola, has pledged to drive institutional transformation as he formally assumed office as the university’s second substantive Vice-Chancellor.
Omojola made the pledge on Tuesday during his inauguration ceremony, held at the university campus in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, marking a major leadership transition as the new Vice Chancellor formally assumed office following a competitive selection process that involved 19 candidates.
The ceremony was led by the Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Professor Dipo Aina.
In his inaugural address, Professor Omojola described his appointment as a solemn responsibility and pledged to consolidate existing gains while driving institutional transformation and optimization. He thanked the Ekiti State Government and the Governing Council for the confidence reposed in him.
Highlighting BOUESTI’s progress, the vice-chancellor noted that the university ranked 29th among Nigerian universities within five years, despite operating without a take-off grant. He said the achievement reflects institutional resilience and effective leadership.
The University boss presented key priorities of his administration to include research-driven innovation, improved internally generated revenue, wealth creation, staff and students’ welfare, and stable labour-management relations,.stressing that no university can rise above the quality and motivation of its workforce and students.
He further emphasized inclusive governance, dialogue, and shared responsibility, calling on management, staff, students, alumni, and host communities to embrace unity of purpose as the university enters a new phase of growth.
Inaugurating the second substantive Vice-Chancellor of BOUESTI, the University Pro Chancellor, Professor Dipo Aina prayed for wisdom, strength, and clarity of purpose, expressing confidence that he, Omojola would further strengthen BOUESTI’s position as a center of excellence in education, science, and technology in Ekiti State and beyond.
In his remark, Professor Aina noted that Omojola’s appointment signaled a new phase for the young university, saying that the Council expects measurable progress in academic quality, research output, staff motivation, infrastructure development, and students’ welfare as he charged the new vice-chancellor to lead with integrity, accountability, and inclusiveness while maintaining strong engagement with staff unions, students, alumni, and host communities.
The Chairman Governing Council of the University also commended the immediate past and pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Institution, Professor Olufemi Victor Adeoluwa, for laying a solid academic and administrative foundation for BOUESTI despite limited resources. He described Adeoluwa’s tenure as instrumental to the university’s early stability and growth.
The ceremony attracted the top university officials, students and alumni as well as Vice-Chancellors of Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State University and other institutions, traditional rulers, community leaders, mentors, and family members.
