The Senate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has marked a significant chapter in the institution’s leadership transition with the election of three prominent academics as Deputy Vice-Chancellors (DVCs). The election, which took place on June 26, 2025, reflects the Senate’s commitment to strong academic governance, innovation, and administrative continuity.
In a decision described as both strategic and unifying, the Senate elected Professor Adesola Aderounmu as DVC Academic, Professor Oluropo Akinfala as DVC Administration, and Professor Akanni Akinyemi as DVC Research, Innovation & Development. Each of the new appointees brings decades of scholarly achievement and institutional service to their respective roles.
Professor Aderounmu, a seasoned academic in Computer Science and former Director of the OAU ICT Centre, is known for his work in digital transformation and academic capacity building. His appointment as DVC Academic is expected to strengthen the university’s curriculum development, accreditation oversight, and academic staff welfare.
Professor Akinfala, a respected scholar in Clinical Psychology and former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, will take charge as DVC Administration. With a reputation for procedural diligence and staff engagement, his leadership is anticipated to reinforce efficiency and internal coordination within the university’s administrative machinery.
The position of DVC Research, Innovation & Development now rests with Professor Akinyemi, an expert in demography and social statistics. His track record in research mobilization and international collaborations makes him a strategic choice for driving OAU’s research visibility and partnerships with global academic institutions.
The trio’s emergence signals a renewed push for excellence across teaching, administration, and innovation at the university. Colleagues and observers have praised the Senate’s balanced choices, noting that the elected DVCs represent a blend of institutional memory, reformist zeal, and forward-thinking leadership.
In a brief remark, a lecturer from the Faculty of Arts, Department of Dramatic Arts told The Nigeria Education News, “This is a leadership team with credibility. Their collective experience will positively influence staff morale, student progress, and OAU’s global academic rankings.”
As the new Deputy Vice-Chancellors assume office in the coming days, the university community watches with optimism, hopeful that the leadership synergy will elevate OAU’s legacy as a centre of academic excellence and innovation in Africa.
