The stormy journey of Nigeria’s premier University, the University of Ibadan to get her 13th Vice-Chancellor ended at the Senate Chambers of the University on Thursday 14th October at 19.57 hours when the incumbent deputy vice-chancellor in charge of administration, Prof Kayode Adebowale was announced by the Pro-Chancellor of the University, Chief John Odigie Oyegun leading four other members of a selection panel.
He defeated the incumbent acting vice-chancellor, Adebola Ekanola, and 14 others in a keenly contested process that took almost one year to resolve. The List was later pruned to eight candidates. The selection process went on for a year with difficult hurdles.
As at noon on Thursday, Prof. Yinka Aderinto a deputy Vice-Chancellor looked set for a two-horse battle with incumbent VC Adebola Ekanola.
Our reporter who was monitoring events at the Campus said some Muslims had planned a grand celebration for charismatic Aderinto who was said to be the most popular candidate at the UI Mosque. Aderinto was also loved by the Abadina folks as he was branded as a thoroughbred Abadina boy having started from Abadina Primary School. He had many followers, including Christian and Muslim prayer warriors who prayer walked around the Senate Chambers, the venue of the selection process.
Chief Oyegun, made the announcement at exactly 7:57 p.m on Thursday. It changed the mood on campus. He had insisted on a thorough screening and stood his ground that he will not postpone the announcement till Friday morning even if he had to break the news at 10.00 pm Nigerian time.
Announcing the new vice-chancellor, Chief Oyegun said Prof. Adebowale emerged the best after a thorough process which he noted was witnessed by representatives of the Federal Character Commission and the Federal Ministry of Education.
Prof. ADEBOWALE Kayode Oyebode B.Sc. (Ibadan), M.Sc. (Ibadan), Ph.D. (Ibadan); mni, FAS, FRSC, FCSN, FSAN, FAVH, EPIN, FAAS specialized in Industrial, Food, Analytical and Environmental Chemistry. He is married with children.
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 the 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 circumstances beyond control, which led to the dissolution of the 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, a Search Team was subsequently constituted to search for suitable persons who might not apply of 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, the Council interacted with all fifteen (15) candidates. All members of the 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 the 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, the 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.
