The immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, has said he is leaving the institution in a stronger position than he met it, citing major achievements in academic standards, infrastructure, staff welfare and institutional growth during his five-year tenure.
Ige stated this on Monday during a valedictory ceremony held on the university campus to mark the end of his administration. The event, themed, "Celebrating a Legacy of Purposeful Leadership and Lasting Impact," concluded a week-long programme organised in his honour.
Activities lined up for the celebration included lectures, a novelty football match, a colloquium, interdenominational thanksgiving services, gift presentations and goodwill messages attended by members of the university community, alumni and other stakeholders.
Highlighting his administration's achievements, the former vice-chancellor said the university recorded full accreditation for all its academic programmes by the National Universities Commission, while professional courses such as Law, Architecture, Finance and Geology also secured the required professional accreditations.
He added that the institution expanded from seven to 10 faculties with the creation of the Faculties of Administration and Management Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, and Computing, alongside new academic programmes including French, Food Science and Technology, and Library and Information Science.
According to him, AAUA also recorded significant progress in staff development, with 253 academic staff promoted to the ranks of Professor and Reader during his tenure, comprising 110 Professors and 143 Readers. He added that 13 senior non-teaching staff attained the rank of Deputy Registrar, while five became Deputy Bursars.
Ige further said the university witnessed a remarkable improvement in its academic culture, noting that the number of inaugural lectures rose from 15 before his assumption of office to 67 at the end of his tenure.
On infrastructure, he said several projects were completed despite financial challenges, including new faculty buildings, renovated structures and a 30-classroom quadrangle.
The outgoing vice-chancellor also commissioned an 80-bed Legacy Hall of Residence, describing it as the first hostel built through donations from staff, students, alumni and other stakeholders since the university was established.
"It stands on a foundation of goodwill, not just concrete," Ige said, expressing appreciation to members of the university community for their support throughout his administration.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Tunji Abayomi, commended Ige for sustaining the institution's academic reputation, improving its national visibility and maintaining industrial peace despite funding constraints.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of a festschrift titled Transformative Leadership in Higher Education: Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Olugbenga Ige, with political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, academics and members of his family in attendance.
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