Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has approved the appointment of Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele as the new Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.
The elevation of Prof. Ayodele, who until his new appointment is the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), takes effect from August 20, 2024.
A statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, said the Professor of Education Management takes over from Prof. Edward Olanipekun, whose tenure as Vice Chancellor of the University started on August 20, 2019, and ends on August 20, 2024.
Ayodele, who was born in Ikere-Ekiti, Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State, on August 13, 1963, attended Annunciation School, Ikere-Ekiti, from 1974 to 1979.
He later proceeded to the Ondo State College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti for the Nigeria Certificate in Education between 1982 and 1985. He obtained a First Class Bachelor of Education (B.ed) degree in Economics from the Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University), Ado- Ekiti 1992.
Prof. Ayodele also earned a Master’s degree in Education Management from the University of Ibadan in 1997 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Management from the same University in 2000.
He started his lecturing career as a Graduate Assistant at Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University), Ado-Ekiti, in 1995 and rose through the ranks to the position of Professor in 2012.
He had served the University in different capacities, notably as Assistant Director of affiliate Programmes (2006-2008); Acting Head of the Department of Educational Foundations and Management (2010- 2012); Dean, Faculty of Education (2018-2020); Director, Directorate of Continuing Education
Programmes/Distance Learning (2020-2022); Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) 2022- date.
Governor Oyebanji, who is the university’s Visitor, urged the new Vice Chancellor to use his wealth of experience as an academic and seasoned administrator to further reposition the University as a world-class institution of learning and wished him a successful tenure.
The Governor thanks the outgoing EKSU Vice Chancellor, Prof Edward Olanipekun, for his meritorious service to the University and wishes him success in his future endeavours.
