Professor Kayode Adebowale, a Professor of Chemistry has emerged as the 13th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
His emergence followed the final screening by the Joint Senate-Council Selection Board of the University, which held at the Adeoye Lambo Senate Chamber, on Thursday.
Unveiling the new VC at a press conference which held at the Conference Room of the VC’s Office, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, John Odigie-Oyegun, said the candidate emerged after a rigorous exercise.
Oyegun stated: “On Wednesday, 13 October 2021, Council interacted with all 15 candidates. All members of Council scored the candidates using approved Council guidelines. At the end, eight candidates, in order of merit, were shortlisted for the final interview.”
He explained that two members of Council were appointed at the meeting, as required by law, while the Senate had, earlier in the week, elected two members of Senate to serve on the Selection Board for the appointment of the Vice Chancellor, adding that the Joint Council-in-Senate Selection Board had, on Thursday, interviewed the eight candidates shortlisted, with two representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education in attendance.
The Pro-Chancellor noted: “At the end of a very thorough, transparent and highly competitive exercise, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale emerged as the best candidate for the position of the Vice Chancellor.”
“The Governing Council, at its just concluded meeting today, considered the report of the Selection Board and approved the recommendation of the Board to appoint Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale as the next Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan,” he concluded.
Speaking after his presentation, the new VC said: “The University has gone through some challenging times and there are so many things we have learnt there. I am not the best, but God just put me there because there is work to be done. With the support of Council, Senate, workers, congregation and all others, we shall move this university to greater heights.”
The post of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan became vacant on December 1, 2020.
The process of appointing a substantive VC was marred with some crisis which led to the appointment of an Acting VC, Prof Adebola Ekanola, who is currently serving his second term of six months.
