For Prof. Olusola Bandele Oyewole, Secretary-General, Association of African Universities(AAU), Friday 23rd January, 2025 was a day of showing whereby a fitting honour was bestowed on him by the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta(FUNAAB), where he once held sway as the Vice-Chancellor up till eight years ago.
An imposing edifice, the 1000-Seater Auditorium located on the Alabata Road Campus of the University, was named after Prof Oyewole by the Governing Council led by the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdur-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi and the Prof. Olusola Kehinde-led Management of the Institution.
A similar structure, the Academic Building 1, was also named after the 6th Substantive Vice-Chancellor and immediate past helmsman, Prof Felix Kolawole Salako for his contributions to the University.
The occasion signposting the naming of monuments on campus formed part of events commemorating the 32nd Convocation Ceremony of the University in which a total of 3,997 graduands have been found worthy in character and learning for First Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters and PhD categories.
Prof. Oyewole, a renowned scholar and professor of Food Science and Technology has made significant contributions to research, education, and sustainable development initiatives across the continent.
With a distinguished career spanning various leadership roles in his previous role as the 5th Substantive FUNAAB VC and President of the Association of African Universities, Prof. Oyewole has played a pivotal role in advancing higher education and research excellence in Africa. His visionary leadership and tireless advocacy have been instrumental in shaping the future of higher education and fostering collaboration among universities across the continent.
In addition to his academic achievements, Professor Oyewole has also made notable contributions to international development efforts, serving as a Senior Expert at the African Union Commission and leading various research and development projects sponsored by international organizations such as the British Government and the World Bank.
In September 2024, a momentous occasion signposting his ascension to a global player in the scientific spheres took place with his induction into the International Academy of Food Science and Technology (IAFoST) and joining esteemed colleagues at the New Fellows Induction Ceremony during the 22nd World Congress of Food Science and Technology in Rimini, Italy.
Although Prof. Oyewole’s tenure which spanned May 2012 till May 2017, witnessed some turbulence on campus, it all soon turned for good as the period after his exit has catapulted him from glory to glory.
Beaming with smiles and accompanied by his beautiful wife, Bolanle, Prof. Oyewole exchanged pleasantries with virtually all the Principal Officers, several Professors as well as the Pro-Chancellor, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdur-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi who cut the tape to commission the 1,000 Seater cream coloured Auditorium.
Moments after, a crowd of lecturers and non-teaching staff who were his admirers, milled around him for over one hour.
Not even members of the Non-Academic Staff Union(NASU) were left behind as they insisted he must branch off their Union Building for a brief reception.
The NASU members, led by the Chairman, Comrade Samson Edifri and former Branch Chairman, Comrade Ishaq Odunjo said as a Union, the Prof Oyewole Administration left a great legacy behind.
A one-time Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic who served under Oyewole, Prof. Oluyemisi Eronmosele, interviewed, described the former VC as a hardworking and God fearing man who believed that the right thing must be done always and that in spite of it all, God will always see him through.
Stressed Prof Eronmosele: “The challenges were many during his period. But himself, his family, they believed that God will see them through, and God did see them through. I learned a lot working with him and I thank God that today, this University is honouring him. I am a witness of today’s event that God, in his infinite mercy, had kept him his lovely wife and all of us up to this moment.”
Also speaking, the then Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Prof. Ololade Enikuomehin who eventually took over the baton of office from him as Acting Vice-Chancellor, spoke for long.
Hear Prof. Enikuomehin: “Well, I am here because it is deserving. I am convinced because I have the privilege of working with Prof Oyewole, that he worked sincerely and contentiously, deploying every iota of integrity and excellence in doing the job of the Vice-Chancellor.
“And I am so glad that this is an opportunity to validate the fact that this man worked for the system with all integrity. It also tells us that nature has a way of paying back.
“What we saw is what the bible said. Choose honesty. And I want us to take it. It’s hard to be truthful. It’s costly to be truthful. But beyond that is today’s glory. For us, we are happy that we are all witnesses to the faithfulness of God over his life.”
The former Vice-Chancellor, in his response, conveyed appreciation to all and to the University Council and Management for their continued strides to make the University great.
He used the opportunity to announce his retirement from the University on September 30, 2025 when he clocks 70.
Prof Oyewole nonetheless lamented the declining state of Nigeria’s Ivory Towers and the poor remuneration of University lecturers in the country.
He said: “All I have been doing is just grace. God has favoured me. I am glad I am not retiring from service, I am only retiring from FUNAAB. It’s just for me to be able to continue my service for Africa as a whole. My work for Africa continues and this will enable me to go to universities in different countries in in Africa.
“I was in Nairobi the other day and I saw how the Universities were contributing to the development of their country. I saw how the government was depending on universities to solve the problem of that nation. Unfortunately it is not the same here in Nigeria.
“I have been to various countries visiting different universities in Africa. I was at the University of Nairobi, the Vice-Chancellor’s office was on the 21st floor. You can imagine such a university that can build such magnitude of a building housing the VC on 21st floor.
“The ground floor was more a less a commercial complex with many multinational companies. I pray God will take Nigerian Universities to such a level.”
Prof. Oyewole has a word of caution for University Administrators in Nigeria.
His words: “All that is required for us to do is let us be truthful and honest with whatever we do. My vision of university is that we are building the next generation. Let us give our children values of truth and honesty which is a rare-found in Nigeria today.
“I can tell you I did not collect a single kobo from contractors during my tenure as Vice-Chancellor. No ten percent anywhere. Even when contractors bring it, we tell them to take it back.
“Unfortunately the system does not appreciate or understand this. Challenges are normal. Let us just pray that God should make us overcome all those challenges.”
