The race for the next Vice-Chancellor of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI), has officially begun as sixteen distinguished professors have been shortlisted to contest for the institution’s top leadership position.
This development follows the approaching end of tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Victor Adeoluwa, whose five-year administration will conclude on January 5, 2026.
Rigorous Selection Process Begins
According to details from the Office of the Registrar, nineteen academics initially applied for the post after the university formally advertised the vacancy. Following a meticulous screening process carried out in accordance with the university’s statutes and extant regulations, sixteen candidates were found qualified to advance to the next stage of the selection exercise.
A statement signed by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Temitope Akinbisoye, confirmed that the next phase will involve an interactive assessment by the Joint Council and Senate Selection Committee. The committee’s report will later be submitted to the Governing Council, which will make the final recommendation to the Visitor of the University for appointment approval.
The statement further emphasised that every step of the process would be anchored on transparency, merit, and integrity — values that define BOUESTI’s administrative and academic culture.
Governing Council Promises Fair and Credible Exercise
The Governing Council, chaired by Professor Oladipo Aina, reassured both the university community and the general public that the selection process will remain open, credible, and merit-driven.
“The Governing Council is fully committed to ensuring that the most qualified candidate emerges through a fair and transparent procedure that upholds the ideals of academic and administrative excellence,” the release stated.
Insiders within the university community expressed optimism that the transition will further consolidate the gains recorded under Professor Adeoluwa’s leadership, which saw BOUESTI’s rapid transformation since its elevation from a College of Education to a full-fledged university.
Professor Adeoluwa’s Legacy as Pioneer Vice-Chancellor
Professor Olufemi Victor Adeoluwa assumed office in January 2021 as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor following the institution’s upgrade. His tenure, according to staff and students, has been marked by academic expansion, infrastructural growth, and partnerships aimed at repositioning BOUESTI for global competitiveness.
Under his administration, the university witnessed improved visibility, accreditation of key programmes, and strengthened research initiatives. His upcoming exit in January 2026 marks a significant milestone in the young university’s journey toward institutional maturity.
Expectations for the Next Vice-Chancellor
As anticipation builds for the announcement of a new Vice-Chancellor, both academic staff and students are keenly watching the process. The next leader will be expected to consolidate ongoing reforms, deepen research output, and attract strategic collaborations that will position BOUESTI among Nigeria’s leading universities.
Observers within the education sector say the next Vice-Chancellor must also address emerging challenges in funding, staff development, and technology integration to sustain the university’s mission of excellence in education, science, and technology.
The final decision on the appointment is expected to be made in the coming months, setting the stage for a new phase of leadership and innovation at the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti.
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