Ekiti State Governor, Mr 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 was the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the University, takes effect from August 20, 2024.
A statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Mr 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 will end on August 20, 2024.
Ayodele who was born in Ikere-Ekiti in Ikere local government area of Ekiti State on August 13, 1963, attended Annunciation School, Ikere-Ekiti from 1974-1979.
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 in 1992 from the Ondo State University, (now Ekiti State University), Ado-Ekiti.
Prof. Ayodele also bagged a Master’s degree in Education Management from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan in 1997; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Management from same University in 2000.
He started his lecturing career as a Graduate Assistant at the Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University), Ado-Ekiti in 1995 and rose through the ranks to the position of a Professor in 2012.
He had served the University in different capacities notably as Assistant Director, Affiliate Programmes, (2006-2008); Acting Head, 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 Visitor to the University, urges the new Vice Chancellor to bring his wealth of experience as an academic and a seasoned administrator to bear in the bid to further reposition the University as a world class institution of learning, even as he wishes him a successful tenure.
The Governor also thanked the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof Edward Olanipekun, for his meritorious service to the University and wishes him success in his future endeavours.
