October 15, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s premier university, the University of Ibadan (UI), has appointed Professor Kayode Adebowale as its 13th vice chancellor.
The new VC is a Professor of Chemistry.
Making the announcement on Thursday was the pro-chancellor and chairman of Council, Chief John E. K. Odigie-Oyegun (CON).
Oyegun, a former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Edo state governor, indicated that the appointment ended a 10-month search that began with the previous council, but was aborted when the Visitor, President Muhammadu Buhari, dissolved that body and formed the incumbent one.
Prior to his new role, Adebowale was the deputy vice chancellor (DVC). He is also the first indigene of Ibadan, the school’s location, to occupy the office in UI’s 73-year history.
He beat 15 other candidates, including the Acting VC, Professor Adebola Ekanola, to clinch the substantive position vacated by Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, whose tenure ended on November 30, 2020.
Adebowale will supervise affairs over a staff strength of 5,339, and student population of 41,000.
Oyegun said: “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 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, 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, the Senate had elected two (2) members of the Senate to serve on the Selection Board for the appointment of the 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.”
Established in 1948, UI was the first university founded in Nigeria.
Until 1962 when it became a bonafide independent university, it ran as a College of the University of London.
It commenced operations with programmes in Arts, Science and Medicine, and gradually grew into a full-fledged tertiary institution with academic programmes in 16 faculties today.
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