Breaking: Professor Adebowale emerges new Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, has been announced as the new Vice Chancellor of the university.

Chairman, Governing council of the university, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, made the announcement around 8:00 p.m. on Thursday at the Senate chambers of the university.

Odigie-Oyegun said Adebowale emerged winner at the conclusion of shortlisting and interviewing process of 15 candidates. Adebowale’s emergence is end of a fresh VC appointment process which began on July 4.

The John Odigie-Oyegun led governing council had then cancelled the earlier exercise which was stalled and ridden with crises.

It will be recalled that there was an imbroglio that trailed the end of Olayinka’s tenure, leading to the Senate of the university choosing deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Professor Babatunde Ekanola, as Acting Vice Chancellor of the university.

From that November 30, Ekanola served out an initial six months tenure as acting Vice Chancellor and was allowed to serve another six months tenure out of a doctrine of necessity.

The position of VC became vacant on December 1, 2020 following expiration of tenure of the former VC, Professor Idowu Olayinka.

A statement personally signed by Chief Oyegun to announce the new vice-chancellor is reproduced below:

PRESS RELEASE OF THE PRO-CHANCELLOR ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR

The post of the Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan became vacant on December 1, 2020, and in accordance with the provisions of the extant rules, the last Governing Council initiated the process of the appointment. However, the process was aborted by the Visitor due to the circumstances beyond control, which led to the dissolution of Council at that time. A new Governing Council was inaugurated in April this year and it decided in its wisdom to start the process afresh. A new advert was placed in July this year and after the expiration of the advert, fourteen (14) candidates applied for the position.

In line with the University Acts, Search Team was subsequently constituted to search for suitable persons who might not apply on their own volition. At the end of the exercise, additional two applications were received and this brought the number of the applicants to sixteen (16).

On Wednesday, 13 October 2021, Council interacted with all fifteen (15) candidates. All members of Council scored the candidates using approved Council guidelines. At the end of the exercise, eight (8) candidates in order of merit were shortlisted for the final interview. At the meeting, two (2) members of Council, as required by Law, were also appointed. Earlier in the week, Senate had elected two (2) members of Senate to serve on the Selection Board for the appointment of the Vice Chancellor.

Today Thursday, 14 October 2021 the Joint Council-Senate Selection Board interviewed the eight (8) candidates shortlisted. Two (2) representatives of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), and the Representative of the Federal Ministry of Education were in attendance. At the end of a very thorough, transparent and highly competitive exercise, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale emerged as the best candidate for the position of Vice Chancellor.

The Governing Council at its just concluded meeting today considered the report of the Selection Board and approved the recommendation of the Board to appoint Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale as the next Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.

It is, therefore, my pleasure to present to you the new and the 13th Vice Chancellor of this great University, University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale. We wish him success in his tenure.

Thank you.

John E.K. Odigle-Oyegun Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council