The Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Oyo State, has explained the process leading to the appointment of new principal officers, reaffirming its commitment to transparency, fairness, and merit in the exercise.
According to the Council, the appointment process produced new principal officers including an Acting Rector, Dr. Azeez Olasunkanmi Ojo, Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mrs. Bukola Elizabeth Dairo, Bursar, Mr. Oluseyi Abiola Afolabi, and Acting Polytechnic Librarian, Mr. Dare Samuel Adeleke.
The Council stated that the selection exercise was conducted in strict compliance with the Polytechnic Act and aligned with the guidelines of the Federal Character Commission, ensuring balanced representation across different regions of the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Council Chairman, Hon. Yakubu Dati, the Acting Director of the Centre for Information, Communication and Public Relations, Mr. Sunday Adepoju, said the process attracted significant interest, with over 104 qualified applicants vying for the various positions.
He explained that the Governing Council carefully reviewed all applications, conducted interviews, and administered computer-based assessments to determine the most suitable candidates for the roles, stressing that only the most competent individuals emerged successful.
Mr. Adepoju also noted that considerations such as institutional sustainability and the ability of candidates to attract private sector partnerships were part of the evaluation criteria, aimed at reducing reliance on government funding.
Addressing concerns about the emergence of candidates with experience from outside polytechnic institutions, he said such movements are common within Nigeria’s higher education system and should not be seen as unusual or inappropriate.
He cited several examples of senior administrators who moved across different tiers of the education sector, including appointments involving universities and polytechnics, to support his argument that competence, rather than institutional background, is the key consideration.
According to him, the principle of federal character was also reflected in the appointments, with the Registrar reportedly drawn from Ogun State and the Bursar from Oyo State, reinforcing national balance in the leadership structure.
The Council further disclosed that nominations for a substantive Rector have already been forwarded to the President, in line with statutory requirements, while an Acting Rector has assumed office to prevent any administrative vacuum.
Stakeholders within the institution have been assured that the appointments were based on due process and merit, with the Council maintaining that the exercise was transparent and credible despite differing public opinions.
The institution reiterated its commitment to fairness, excellence, and institutional development, expressing confidence in the capacity of the newly appointed officers to drive its academic and administrative goals forward.
