...VC credits stable funding, industrial peace for rapid growth
…Varsity Now Ranks 15th INTO ⁴Nigeria, 51st in Africa
Daud Olatunji
Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, has recorded significant academic and institutional growth over the last four years, with student enrolment rising from 27,000 to 35,000 and the institution climbing into the ranks of Nigeria’s top 15 universities and the 51st best in Africa.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, attributed the achievements to sustained government support, prudent leadership, industrial harmony and strategic investments in academic programmes, research and technology.
Agboola disclosed this while addressing journalists after the opening of a three-day retreat for members of the university’s Governing Council, themed
“Celebrating Service, Leadership, and Institutional Growth,” held in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
The retreat reviewed the performance of the outgoing Governing Council over the past four years and mapped out strategies to sustain the institution’s growth beyond the council’s tenure.
The vice-chancellor said the university had exceeded the targets set during a similar retreat organised at the beginning of the council’s tenure in 2022, describing the exercise as a platform for assessing performance and providing a roadmap for future administrations.
“When this Governing Council came on board four years ago, it set clear milestones for the university. Today, I am happy to say we have achieved more than 100 per cent of those targets.
“This retreat is not only about celebrating achievements but also about reminding ourselves where we are coming from and laying a solid foundation for those who will take over,” Agboola said.
He said the council had transformed the institution through the revival of moribund ventures, expansion of academic programmes, improved infrastructure, digital transformation and successful accreditation of all academic programmes in 2024.
According to him, the administration also strengthened the university’s reputation, making it more attractive to philanthropists and development partners.
Agboola disclosed that the university recently secured a ₦1 billion endowment from business mogul, Dr Kunle Soname, for a professorial chair, describing the donation as a reflection of growing public confidence in the institution.
“We have never had it this good. Apart from the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who endowed the university with ₦1 billion, Dr Kunle Soname has also donated another ₦1 billion, and the money has already been paid into the university’s account,” he said.
The vice-chancellor also highlighted improvements in the institution’s global visibility, saying OOU had moved from over 4,000th position in global rankings four years ago to about 2,700th, while emerging as the 15th best university in Nigeria and the 51st in Africa.
“Nigeria now has over 300 universities, yet OOU is among the best 20 institutions in the country. We are not doing badly, but we will continue to strive to become number one,” he added.
Agboola linked the institution’s rapid growth to industrial peace, noting that the university had not experienced any strike, staff unrest or student protest in the last four years.
He credited Governor Dapo Abiodun for creating an enabling environment by respecting the autonomy of the university and ensuring prompt financial support.
“In the last four years, there has been no strike, no students’ unrest and no staff unrest. Salaries are paid on the 25th of every month, and all salary arrears have been cleared.
“That stability has increased staff commitment and boosted students’ confidence in the university. It is one of the reasons enrolment rose from 27,000 to 35,000 within four years,” he said.
He explained that prompt salary payments had improved staff welfare and morale, enabling lecturers to concentrate on teaching and research without financial distractions.
According to him, regular payment of salaries has also enhanced access to credit facilities for workers, improved their family welfare and reduced the temptation to engage in unethical practices.
Agboola further highlighted the university’s investment in Information and Communication Technology, revealing that lecture delivery has been enhanced through technology that enables classes to be transmitted simultaneously to three additional lecture halls.
He also commended students for developing innovative technologies and digital solutions capable of addressing societal challenges.
The vice-chancellor, however, cautioned against calls for full financial autonomy for public universities, arguing that no university anywhere in the world survives without substantial government funding.
He said universities should be encouraged to generate additional revenue through research commercialisation, innovation, consultancy services and partnerships, but insisted that governments must continue to invest heavily in tertiary education.
“Financial autonomy is not the solution. Universities should generate funds, but government must continue to fund higher education because education is a public good.
“A university is not just about buildings. It is about research, innovation and knowledge creation. Huge investments are required to build digital infrastructure, establish research laboratories and procure modern equipment.
“For instance, purchasing hundreds of laptops for students and researchers may cost as much as constructing a large classroom building, but such investments are necessary if universities are to compete globally,” he said.
Agboola observed that institutions receiving stronger government support consistently perform better in national and international rankings, citing federal universities as well as Lagos State University and Ekiti State University as examples.
He also noted that OOU, established 44 years ago, has continued to play a pivotal role in Ogun State’s development, revealing that eight out of every 10 judges appointed by successive administrations in the state are graduates of the university.
Speaking at the event, the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, called on heads of tertiary institutions to embrace transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
Representing Governor Abiodun, Arigbabu said prudent management of government allocations and internally generated revenue would boost public confidence and encourage greater intervention from government and other stakeholders.
He stressed that while government remained the largest investor in education, universities must increasingly diversify their revenue base through alumni contributions, endowments, research commercialisation and technological innovations.
“The government cannot do it alone. Across the world, leading universities derive substantial income from endowments, alumni support and commercialisation of research outputs.
“Our institutions should grow to a stage where they can sustain themselves through innovation, technology, partnerships and entrepreneurship while still enjoying government support,” he said.
The commissioner urged universities to support researchers and students with innovative ideas capable of solving societal challenges, noting that commercialising such innovations could generate significant revenue for institutions.
He also commended the Governing Council and the university management for maintaining cordial working relationships, which he said had enhanced stability and made governance easier for the state government.
Arigbabu disclosed that the Ogun State Government would execute additional infrastructure projects in the university before the expiration of the current Governing Council’s tenure and urged the outgoing members to remain worthy ambassadors of the institution.
Delivering the keynote address titled “Leadership and Governance,” the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Toyin Ashiru, described effective leadership as a combination of vision, courage, discipline and accountability.
Ashiru, whose tenure will end on August 25, 2026, said the council had deliberately pursued policies that strengthened the university’s resilience and enhanced its national reputation.
He listed major accomplishments of the council to include extensive infrastructure development, full accreditation of all academic programmes in 2024 and improved institutional visibility.
Commending Agboola’s leadership, Ashiru described the vice-chancellor as “a silent achiever” whose performance had transformed the university without unnecessary publicity.
He added that the university’s Nursing and Law programmes had become among the most sought-after in Nigeria, reflecting OOU’s growing academic excellence.
“Leadership provides vision and inspiration, while governance demands accountability and direction. Together, we have built a resilient university that is well-positioned for greater achievements in the years ahead,” Ashiru said.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
